September 6-10, 2022
What is the Medal of Honor Celebration?
Each year the Congressional Medal of Honor Society selects a host city in which the Recipients come together to remember and celebrate the great sacrifices made by American men and women around the world in defense of our great nation. During the Celebration the Recipients of the Medal of Honor reconnect with each other, solemnly commemorate those Recipients who have passed, conduct Society business, and engage the local community. Knoxville earned the honor of hosting this extraordinary annual event in 2014 and is fortunate to have been selected by the Society to host the 2022 Medal of Honor Celebration.
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 members of the Unites States armed forces who distinguish themselves through “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against the enemy of the United States." Since its inception, just over 3500 individuals have been awarded the medal. There are currently fewer than 70 living recipients. This is one of the lowest levels in history.
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Chartered by Congress in 1958, The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is comprised exclusively of Recipients of the Medal of Honor – those who have been recognized by their peers as having gone above and beyond the call of duty at the risk of their own lives to protect their fellow service members. The Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit devoted to sharing the values of the Medal of Honor and its Recipients through outreach, education, and research. As the number of living Medal of Honor Recipients continues to decrease, the Society’s mission has become increasingly important, and the Recipients are committed to continuing the work.
Relive the 2014 Medal of Honor Convention
"Conspicuous Gallantry: The 2014 Medal of Honor" was produced by students in the University of Tennessee's School of Journalism and Electronic Media. The documentary features interviews with 10 Medal of Honor recipients, both convention co-chair, and numerous other people involved in the celebration. It also highlights many of the events and moments that made the convention so special.
The University of Tennessee students will be back to document the 2022 convention.
The Character Development Program
The CDP is the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's free educational outreach program.
The Medal of Honor Character Development Program (CDP) is a free educational resource which teaches courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism to students through educationally grounded lessons developed by teachers for teachers. These six core values are embodied in the Medal of Honor and exemplified in the actions for which it has been awarded.
The CDP is a flexible, cross-curricular resource, which uses age-appropriate short oral histories of Medal of Honor Recipients and citizen heroes, to show students how to use the six core values to influence change in their own communities.
Upcoming, Free CDP Trainings
On-Line: Educators can take on-line training at any time for free. Click here to register and begin the CDP on-line training. Educators should allow approximately 2 hours to complete the on-line training.
In-Person: In-person workshops are scheduled in East Tennessee in preparation for the 2022 Medal of Honor Celebration. Workshops are led by nationally certified CDP Instructors. The educator training, resource kits, and videos are provided to all educators at NO CHARGE. Lunch is also provided. Upon completion of the training, school systems can be reimbursed for the cost of substitute teachers. Elementary, middle, and high school teachers from all subject areas along with counselors, coaches, and administrators are invited to attend this free training. More details here:
| Date | Location | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 22, 2021 | Crown Plaza Hotel, Knoxville | Primary & Secondary | Successful |
| Thursday, November 11, 2021 | Jefferson County School | Secondary | Successful |
| Wednesday, February 16, 2022 | Sarah Simpson Center, Knoxville | Secondary | Successful |
| Tuesday, September 6, 2022 | Knoxville Convention Center | Primary & Secondary | Pending. Sign up for notification. |
For more information or questions, contact 2022CDP@gmail.com
The Valor Outreach Program
The Valor Outreach Program is the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's community and veteran outreach program.
The Medal of Honor and its Recipients inspire awe. Meeting a Recipient in person or hearing a Recipient speak makes a lasting impact.
The Valor Outreach Program is on the frontline, pairing Medal of Honor Recipients with military, veteran, community, and corporations that embrace the values of the Medal of Honor: Courage, Integrity, Commitment, Sacrifice, Citizenship and Patriotism. It is one of many ways that Recipients fulfill the Society’s mission of promoting the legacy of the medal of honor and campaigning the values.
Through in-person and virtual events, Recipients share their unique insights on character, leadership, patriotism, integrity, resiliency, and adjustment to civilian life. While not trained clinicians, they use their personal experiences to engage through motivation, inspiration, and mentorship.
Learn more at the Congressional Medal of Honor Society
