Everyday people across the United States perform extraordinary actions, whether through a single instance of bravery or through continued service to others. These acts of courage and willingness to serve embody the American spirit. 

In an effort to recognize these Americans, the Citizen Honors Awards was created. Every year, a nationwide search is conducted to find those who have gone above and beyond in their communities. The finalists that are selected are recognized by our nation’s greatest heroes, the Medal of Honor Recipients. 

A special sector of the Citizen Honors Awards focuses on those who have performed extraordinary acts of service. Last week, we had the opportunity to celebrate our 2020 and 2021 Citizen Honors Service Awardees in Charleston, South Carolina (the headquarters of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society). Here is an inside look at the ceremony and the events that took place throughout the week.

Charleston Outreach Events

The Medal of Honor Recipients kicked off their week in Charleston with a visit to City Hall where Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg gifted them with the Key to the City, as a small thanks for their service and sacrifice to our country. 

Next, the Recipients and the Citizen Honors Awardees headed off to a Charleston RiverDogs baseball game for a reception sponsored by American Airlines. Recipient Matthew Williams threw out the game’s first pitch and the team paid tribute to each Citizen Honor Awardee and Medal of Honor Recipient who was in attendance throughout the game. 

On Wednesday morning, several Recipients also participated in Veterans Outreach Program events at Joint Base Charleston and Scientific Research Corporation.  Additionally, three Recipients visited The Citadel to speak to over two hundred incoming cadet-recruits as part of our Character Development Program initiatives. 

The Citizen Honors Service Award Ceremony

On Wednesday night, the grouped head over to the Riviera Theatre for the 2020 & 2021 Citizen Honors Service Awards Ceremony. During the event, the Recipients formally recognized five individuals and two organizations for their continued service to their communities.

2020 Awardees:

Michael Jernigan (Service Act Award)

Zachary Brooks (Youth Service Award)

Women Veteran Social Justice Network (Community Service Award)

2021 Awardees:

Aidan Reilly and James Kanoff of FarmLink (Service Act Award)

Charles “Charlie” Austin (Youth Service Award)

Gary Sinise Foundation (Community Service Award).

We are grateful to our presenting sponsor, Boeing, as well as our co-host, the National Medal of Honor Museum and Education Center. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge our VIP Sponsors: CCS Fundraising, Crawford Investment Counsel, and Harris Teeter as well as our Bronze Sponsor, Randy Friedman. Thank you for supporting CMOHS and for your involvement in our week celebrating these incredible individuals and organizations. 

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