CHARLESTON -- Every day, ordinary West Virginians become extraordinary. It can happen in an instant of bravery, or through a lifetime of placing others before themselves.
Our local heroes now have an opportunity to be nationally recognized for their tireless efforts.
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announced last month a call for nominations for its Above and Beyond Citizen Honors. The national awards will honor Americans whose actions epitomize the concept of service before self and who perform above and beyond their professional or vocational areas of responsibility.
Nominations for the Above and Beyond Citizen Honors must be submitted no later than Dec. 16 by filling out an online nomination form at www.aboveandbeyond365.com.
One finalist will be selected from each state. From these 50 remarkable citizens, three will be chosen to receive the Above and Beyond Citizen Honor award.
On March 25, National Medal of Honor Day, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society will present the awards in an event hosted by Brian Williams at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. The event is scheduled to be televised on March 30. General Colin Powell and Presidents Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush are all honorary co-chairs of the event.
The tribute will celebrate the best of America by profiling spectacular stories of individuals who demonstrate service over self.
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is chartered by Congress and is comprised of 109 living Medal of Honor recipients. Above and Beyond is a public platform built upon the foundations of the Medal of Honor, which is regarded as our nation's highest military honor for valor.
The Above and Beyond Citizen Honors is inspired by the 3,463 heroic individuals who have received the Medal of Honor over the course of our nation's history by the ideals of courage, sacrifice, integrity, patriotism, commitment and citizenship.
For more information on nominating a fellow neighbor, coworker or other hero in your community, please contact Mitzi Miller at the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service at (304) 558-0111.
Residents asked to nominate local heroes for national award
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