Over the next two decades, the number of living Recipients of the Medal of Honor is expected to decline sharply. The average age of living Recipients from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam is 75. As a result, we’ll have fewer Recipients to inspire us in-person, but the need to teach the values of the Medal to all Americans will remain. 

After receiving the Medal of Honor, many Recipients dedicate their lives to sharing their unique stories and educating the public, especially youth, about the core values represented by the Medal: courage, sacrifice, selflessness, patriotism, citizenship, and integrity. Recipients of the Medal of Honor travel the country and share important lessons that have the potential to change lives, one community at a time.

“Recipient stories need to be told and their names need to be known. I feel a responsibility to the Recipients and to my students to ensure that their experiences are not forgotten,” says Ray Brassard, high school teacher and football coach in Puyallup, Washington.

To preserve and promote the legacy of the Medal of Honor, we need your support. The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation was created by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society in 1999 to financially support Recipients’ efforts to further American values through education and outreach.

 “Working closely with the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation is essential to secure funds to support each of our recipients, our legacy, and the programs we deliver nationally,” says Drew D. Dix, Medal of Honor Recipient and president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Specifically, the Foundation supports the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s efforts to perpetuate the legacy of the Medal of Honor through education, outreach, and recognition.

These efforts are accomplished through the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, where the curriculum is delivered by 17,500 educators trained to teach the program across the nation. As well as the Veterans Outreach Program, which connects Medal of Honor Recipients with 60-100 veterans four to six events per month.

“We deal with a lot of pressures as teens, and the Medal of Honor values can help us put those pressures in perspective and deal with them…and learn how to apply the values in our daily lives,” says Katelyn Ibarra, a high school student and recipient of the Citizen Honors Young Hero Award for heroism. Katelyn was recognized for her effort to aid several injured victims of an automobile accident. 

The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation is fully funded by contributions from generous supporters who enable us to accomplish our mission. Every dollar the Foundation receives helps sustain the legacy of the Medal of Honor through the Society’s outreach initiatives and educational programs.

“Our Navy JROTC program is a character and citizenship development program. Everything that these heroes bring here, every value that they possess within the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation further augments and emphasizes the qualities that we expect to develop inside of our students,” says NJROTC Commander William Lauper, Troy High School.

Join us in making a difference each and every day with your contributions. Tax-deductible donations can be made online via a secure server on our website or by contacting us online.

The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the sole mission to support the work of the Society. You can also keep up with our upcoming events, special announcements, and partner/Recipient highlights by joining our monthly newsletter.