“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” —John 15:13

National Medal of Honor Day is an opportunity to recognize the recipients of our nation’s highest military award, and remember their extraordinary sacrifice on behalf of their brothers in arms and in defense of American Liberty.

It marks the anniversary observance of the First Medals awarded on March 25, 1863, for actions by Andrews’ Raiders. Their valorous acts were immortalized in print and film as “The Great Locomotive Chase,” which started in Big Shanty, Georgia, on April 12, 1862, and ended just south of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Notably, Chattanooga was also the field of service for the only woman who holds a Medal of Honor, Dr. Marry Walker. Other well-known recipients from our area include World War I’s Alvin York, whose life story was immortalized in the film “Sergeant York,” and World War II’s Desmond Doss, whose heroic actions were featured in the recent movie, “Hacksaw Ridge.”

Please join us in honoring these extraordinary warriors, that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

“Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding generations to that wretchedness which inevitably awaits them if we basely entail hereditary bondage on them.” —Thomas Jefferson (1775)

We invite you to read Mark Alexander’s brief history, “The First Medals of Honor.”

Mr. Alexander serves on the Advisory Board of the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, established to honor in perpetuity the recipients of the First Medals and all those since, and to promote the six character trait pillars demonstrated by those recipients: Courage, Sacrifice, Patriotism, Citizenship, Integrity, Commitment.

For more information on the new Heritage Center, please contact the Patriot Foundation Trust Administrator.

Read about The Patriot Post’s Mission of Service to our Armed Forces, and Operation Shield of Strength.

Also read the story of one American Flag, and consider helping us distribute “I’m Your Flag” booklets to elementary school students nationwide.

“There is a certain enthusiasm in Liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.” —Alexander Hamilton (1775)