NASHVILLE,Tenn. - Nashville Salutes hosted a gathering of 28 Medal of Honor recipients to Nashville and the Middle Tennessee area, Aug. 6-8 for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate and honor our nation's greatest heroes.
The three-day event, known as Nashville Salutes: A Tribute to Our Nation's Most Honored Heroes, was filled with visits and events designed to further educate the public about the Medal of Honor while supporting the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation's Medal of Honor Character Development Program.
The goal of the CDP is to foster the development of educational programs and curricula focused on teaching and promoting fundamental character values required of every citizen, and as a way to inspire the youth of America to be great citizens of their communities, their country, and the world.
“Nashville Salutes is a tribute to our nation's most honored heroes,” said Ret. Lt. Gen. Dennis Cavin, Nashville Salutes chairman. “Their sacrifice and their service to our nation stands as a remarkable example for every person, whether they are young or old, about what it means to give back.”
The honorees attended events throughout Middle Tennessee, which included a visit to Fort Campbell, town hall events, area school visits, a special tribute at the Grand Ole Opry, a parade in Downtown Nashville, and a formal gala at the Music City Center.
“Nashville is truly humbled that they would take their time and visit our great city,” said Cavin. “When you have Medal of Honor recipients, it's pretty easy to get excited about the patriotism and citizenship.”
Hundreds of service members, veterans and community members showed their excitement and appreciation for the MOH recipients at the “Heroes Honoring Heroes” parade.
Escorted in classic Corvettes, the honorees made their way down lower Broadway in Downtown Nashville and were joined by the Army Fife and Drum Corps, Knights of the Columbus, area high school bands and JROTC units, and Boy and Girls Scouts of America, along with everyday heroes who serve their Middle Tennessee communities.
The event culminated with a red carpet, formal gala at the Music City Center, attended by distinguished visitors, high-ranking service members and their guests, which included a dinner, awards ceremony and a performance by the Oak Ridge Boys.
“What an amazing time to be able to stand in the same room with these heroes,” said Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Clarisse Bernier, MOH recipient escort. “They are very inspiring to us.”
“They are all that Soldiers aspire to be, but the best thing about them is they are just average guys. They were ordinary Soldiers who on one extraordinary day behaved heroically,” she said.
There are 79 living Medal of Honor recipients.
Date Taken: | 08.08.2015 |
Date Posted: | 08.09.2015 22:48 |
Story ID: | 172606 |
Location: | NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, US |
Web Views: | 64 |
Downloads: | 1 |
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