Chicago to Host Congressional Medal of Honor Convention

Once-In-A-Lifetime Event Honors Military Heroes Who Exemplify Service Over
Self

CHICAGO, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 50 of America's most distinguished
combat veterans will be honored September 15-19 in Chicago as the
Congressional Medal of Honor Society brings the compelling story of these
heroes' sacrifice and "service over self" to life at its annual convention.
The Chicago Host Committee, led by honorary chair Mayor Richard M. Daley,
along with sponsors Boeing and TriWest, will pay tribute to and honor the
courageous men and women who served our country over a series of public and
private events.

"The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military decoration presented for
valor in combat. It stands above all others and is emblematic of America's
ideals of courage, sacrifice and patriotism," said Col. Robert Howard, Medal
of Honor recipient and President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
"This year's convention in Chicago is an opportunity to honor these heroes
while providing a better understanding to all citizens about the importance of
service over self."

Medal recipients each year travel domestically and abroad, individually and in
groups, to participate in outreach activities with veterans groups, schools
and military organizations. At the Chicago convention, more than 50 Medal
recipients will attend and meet directly with military, veterans, students,
business leaders and the general public in a variety of events.

The convention fosters patriotism, and the Chicago host committee is excited
to get the local community involved, while honoring and recognizing recipients
of the prestigious award. Activities for the week will include:

-- Commit to Courage Opening Ceremony at Soldier Field on Tuesday,
September 15: The convention will commence with this exciting ceremony
hosted by Mayor Richard M. Daley including a jump from the U.S. Army
Golden Knights parachute team, a 19 gun salute from the Illinois
National Guard and a keynote speech from General James Conway,
commandant of the United States Marine Corps
-- Community Outreach Day on Wednesday, September 16: Many of the
Chicago's public schools and JROTC academies will join with other
public venues to host visits and interact with Medal of Honor
recipients
to learn first-hand about the nature of true sacrifice
-- A day at the ballpark on Thursday, September 17: Medal Recipients will
enjoy a day at Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs host the Milwaukee
Brewers

-- A Day At Cantigny with Medal of Honor Recipients followed by the
'Commit to Courage' Patriot Award Dinner at the Swissotel
Chicago on Saturday, September 19: Actor Gary Sinise ("Forrest
Gump", "Apollo 13") will serve as the master of
ceremonies at the Patriot Award Dinner where the Society's esteemed
awards will be presented. The Patriot Award, recognizing a lifetime of
outstanding service to the armed forces, will be presented to Mayor
and
Mrs. Richard M. Daley; The Tex McCrary Award to journalist and
historian
Rick Atkinson; The Citizenship Award to Richard Duchossois of
Arlington
Park; and The Bob Hope Award to Chicago's own, Bill Kurtis

"The convention is held each year to further the bond of brotherhood and
camaraderie among the living Medal of Honor recipients and their families,"
explains Rick Stephens, who served as a U.S. Marine and is currently a senior
vice president at Boeing. "It is an honor to be able to stand with these
heroes while remembering in reverence and respect those who are now deceased
or received the Medal of Honor posthumously."

The mission of this year's convention is to demonstrate the extreme valor,
courage and commitment that these men embody--not only as a testament to their
own service in the military but as an inspiration to the communities in which
they live.

"The level of courage that earns our nation's highest honor for valor under
fire comes not from bravado, but from a sense of what's right," said TriWest
President and CEO David J. McIntyre, Jr. "The men Chicago honors are all very
different, yet they have one thing in common -- a commitment to others, even
at the risk and cost of their lives. I've learned that through TriWest's
association with these men, and it's our privilege and honor to support them
and their annual convention."

For more information and to find out how to become involved with this
once-in-a-lifetime event, please visit http://www.cmoh2009chicago.com/ or the
Convention's Facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/2009-Chicago-Commit-to-Courage-Medal-of-Honor-Convention/116257397480?ref=nf./

About the Congressional Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor stands as the nation's highest military award presented for
valor in combat. Of the estimated 42 million American's who have served this
country in uniform since the Civil War, only 3,447 individuals have received
the Medal of Honor and many of those were awarded posthumously. There are
today fewer than 100 living recipients. These distinguished veterans have
dedicated their lives to providing a better understanding to all citizens
about the importance of service over self.

Media Contact:
Lexie Alcon
(312) 240-2625
Lexie.Alcon@edelman.com

SOURCE Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Lexie Alcon, +1-312-240-2625, Lexie.Alcon@edelman.com, for Congressional Medal
of Honor Society