Whether active duty or retired from the military, Medal of Honor Recipients wake up each day with one goal in mind – to serve those to their left and right.

That same dedication to others was also displayed by the individuals whose names are etched on the Medal of Honor Memorial in Indianapolis, which celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year. Medal of Honor Recipients Sammy L. Davis, Earl D. Plumlee, and Britt K. Slabinski visited Indianapolis this week and laid a wreath at the memorial, met and networked with key stakeholders in the historic city, and offered words of inspiration to civilians who encounter situations in their everyday lives that require implementation of the values of the Medal.

Hotel Tango Visit

Travis Barnes, who served in the Marine Corps from 2002-2006, was the first to greet Recipients Davis and Plumlee upon their arrival to Indianapolis on Thursday, March 21. He hosted the Recipients at Hotel Tango, the first combat-disabled and veteran-owned distillery in the U.S., owned by himself and his wife Hilary. Barnes says Recipients inspired him while serving in the military, and even now in civilian life.

“I don’t think that most people understand the significance of that piece of medal around their neck,” said Barnes. “These guys put their life on the line for their country, and for the guys that were there to the left and the right. The ultimate sacrifice they were willing to make which earned them the Medal … just incredible. Even the worst possible situation you can imagine shows the best of humanity.”

Duane Sarmiento, national commander-in-chief for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, was also in attendance to greet the Recipients.

Salesforce Headquarters Tour and Q&A

Recipients Davis and Plumlee continued their visit Friday morning, March 22, with a tour of Salesforce and a Q&A session with its veteran employees. Salesforce runs one of the most comprehensive training programs for veterans and spouses in the country.

When asked about qualities of a high-performance team, Plumlee told the group it’s the mentality of bettering your peers.

“It’s that ‘steel sharpens steel’ mentality,” said Plumlee. “And I think that’s the big payoff of a high-performance team. It’s knowing that I brought one small piece to it, but I got to have very competitive peers that I learn from. I think that’s just awesome.”

For Davis, it’s about “getting the job done.”

“Whatever your job is, you get it done, and you don’t lose until you quit trying,” he said. “If you know what’s right in your heart, stand up for it.”

Medal of Honor Memorial Service

The day continued with Kent Abernathy, president of the Indiana War Memorials Foundation, welcoming all in attendance to the 25^th anniversary celebration of the city’s Medal of Honor Memorial. The afternoon included words from Abernathy, John Shertzer, executive director of the Medal of Honor Foundation, Charlie Baker, NCAA president and former governor of Massachusetts, and former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.

Pence expressed his gratitude for the Recipients’ service and for paving the way for the leaders of tomorrow.

“I think [the Recipients] would be quick to recognize that it’s not merely to preserve history—it’s to inspire,” said Vice President Pence. “It’s to fire up men and women of future generations to step forward and serve the nation in these days.”

Slabinski moderated a panel discussion during the ceremony featuring Davis and Plumlee, where they discussed life in the military, what the Medal of Honor means to them, and how its values can be upheld. Slabiniski compared patriotism to the stitching of an American flag.

“The next time you see a flag and it’s getting beat up in the wind and it starts pulling apart … think of that last little stitch giving its all to hold it together when the winds and adversity are trying to tear it apart,” he said. “Eventually it gives, and there’s another one right next in line to take its weight and say, ‘I got you.’ That’s what comes to mind when I think of patriotism.”

The three Recipients laid a wreath at the Medal of Honor Memorial to conclude the ceremony.

NCAA Museum Visit; Boilermakers v. Tigers Game

Indiana is home to the NCAA Hall of Champions, and Recipients Davis, Plumlee and Slabinski received a tour of the museum Friday afternoon. NCAA President Charlie Baker hosted the Recipients later in the evening at the Purdue Boilermakers v. Grambling State Tigers game, part of the March Madness tournament. The Recipients graced the center of Gainbridge Fieldhouse during halftime and received a standing ovation.

Medal of Honor Day holds a special meaning to Baker.

“It’s certainly one of the high holidays—right there with the Fourth of July, Veterans Day and Memorial Day,” said Baker. “I’m really glad there’s a series of public and private events and opportunities for people to never forget, which is the one thing you always hear from everybody in the military. I really hope people never forget. I hope people appreciate the sacrifice.”

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About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society   

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Medal of Honor (the United States’ highest award for military valor in action) and its Recipients, inspiring Americans to live the values the Medal represents, and supporting Recipients as they connect with communities across America. Chartered by Congress in 1958, the Society’s membership consists exclusively of those individuals who have received the Medal of Honor.   

The Society carries out its mission through outreach, education, and preservation programs, including the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, Citizen Honors Awards, and The Medal of Honor Museum. As part of Public Law 106-83, the Medal of the Honor Memorial Act, The Medal of Honor Museum, which is co-located with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s headquarters on board the U.S.S. Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, was designated as one of three national Medal of Honor sites.   

 The Society’s programs and operations are fully funded by generous donors.  

Learn more about the Medal of Honor and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s initiatives at cmohs.org.