Contacts: Tom Lyons: 781-953-9662 | [email protected] Tom Farmer: 978-729-9212 | smeob@yahoo Congressional Medal of Honor Society Will Have 2015 Convention in Boston Many of the nation’s 79 living Medal of Honor Recipients will return to Boston for an unprecedented third time next September 15-19 BOSTON - December 4, 2014 - The Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced today that the Society will hold its annual convention and Patriot Award Dinner in Boston for an unprecedented third time in September 2015. Many of the nation’s 79 living Medal of Honor Recipients will be in Boston from September 15-19 next year. “Our great City of Boston is honored to host our nations most brave and valiant heroes and the recipients of our countrys highest honor for an unprecedented third time,’’ said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “Like the hundreds of thousands of Bostonians who have served our country, from the Revolutionary War to the present, these Medal of Honor Recipients are shining examples of courage, bravery and sacrifice. Their selfless dedication and service are the foundation of the liberties and freedoms we enjoy today.’’ The Medal of Honor Recipients held their first Boston convention in October 2001 a month after postponing the event because of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The Medal of Honor Society was the only organization to reschedule their Boston convention following 9/11. The Medal of Honor Recipients returned to Boston in 2006 and were again welcomed warmly by the city. Their 2015 convention will mark the first time the Medal of Honor Recipients have held their convention three times in the same city. “These Medal of Honor Recipients have formed a strong bond with the city and people of Boston and to be able to honor them here for the third time in 14 years is unprecented in the history of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society,’’ said Thomas J. Lyons, Chairman of the Boston Congressional Medal of Honor Society Host Committee. “The duties and sacrifices they have made on behalf of the nation, and their unwavering support for our men and women in uniform, is awe inspiring and we intend to host their convention in a manner that will truly honor and celebrate these incredible heroes.’’ While in Boston, the Recipients will be involved in several public events and will also be visiting area schools and veterans hospitals. The Boston Host Committee will work extensively with the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and Society to implement the Character Development Program designed to educate area students about the core values embedded in the Medal of Honor— courage, integrity, sacrifice, commitment, citizenship and patriotism. “The Medal of Honor recipients are thrilled to be coming back to Boston’’ said Thomas G. Kelley, one of two Medal of Honor Recipients who live in Massachusetts. “The outpouring of warmth we experienced in our previous conventions in 2001 and 2006 left an indelible impression on all of us. I am especially excited that our most recent recipients from Afghanistan and Vietnam who have not been here before will be able to experience the sense of patriotism and honor which is the hallmark of Boston,’’ added Kelley, a retired Navy Captain who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his gallant and courageous actions in Vietnam on June 15, 1969. Thomas J. Hudner, Jr., the other Medal of Honor Recipient who resides in Massachusetts and who is also a retired Navy Captain, received his Medal of Honor for his gallant and courageous actions as a fighter pilot in North Korea 64 years ago today on Dec. 4, 1950. “Every year a committee designated by the members of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society selects a location for its annual convention and with one exception, no city has hosted the society more than once and that city is Boston,’’ said Hudner. “The city must be proud to be chosen not once but three times. We are proud of the warm relationship that exists between us and look forward to being in Boston again next fall.’’ Medal of Honor Recipient Ryan Pitts, who was born in Lowell and who now resides in New Hampshire, received his Medal of Honor for gallant and courageous actions as an Army Sergeant in Afghanistan on July 13, 2008. Pitts is among a number of Medal Of Honor Recipients who will be participating in a Boston convention for the first time. “For someone who was born in Lowell and now living in New Hampshire I am very excited that we will be in Boston next year,’’ Pitts said at the Mayor’s announcement today. “I don’t consider myself a hero. The heroes are the ones who did not come home. I am looking forward to honoring them and all those who have served and continue to serve.’’ The 2015 convention will culminate with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Patriot Award Dinner on Sept. 19 at the Boston Seaport Hotel where the Recipients will honor several distinguished people with awards for their commitment to our veterans and men and women currently serving in the Armed Forces. “As a veteran who has honorably served my country, I am humbled to have the opportunity to welcome these American heroes to the City of Boston for the third time, said Boston Veterans Services Commissioner Francisco Urena. “These extraordinary individuals faced incredible odds in the face of mortal danger to protect their brothers and sisters in arms and we are eternally grateful of their service and sacrifice to this great Nation. For more information about 2015 Medal of Honor Society Convention please visit mohboston and Boston Medal of Honor Convention on Facebook. About the Medal of Honor Created in 1861 by President Abraham Lincoln, the Medal of Honor is our nation’s highest and rarest military decoration. It is bestowed by the President of the United States, in the name of Congress, upon a member of the United States Armed Forces who distinguishes himself or herself through “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against the enemy of the United States.” Fewer than 3,500 individuals have received the Medal, half of which have been posthumously. There are currently only 79 living recipients. This is one of the lowest levels in history. About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society In 1958, the United States Congress chartered the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The purpose of the Society, among other things, is to perpetuate the legacy of the Medal of Honor. The living recipients of the Medal of Honor constitute the members of the Society. These recipients congregate annually for their national Medal of Honor Convention. ###
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 16:29:04 +0000