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Medal of Honor recipients at Tomb of the Unknowns |
The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation today on Medal of Honor Day announced and nationally honored the Citizen Service Before Self Honors recipients for 2011. After a nationwide search and selection process, three Americans have been selected for their selflessness and indomitable courage. The three unsung heroes are:
“As true heroes among us, these three remarkable recipients epitomize the Citizen Service Before Self Honors concept of ‘service before self’ and are truly deserving of this award. Their actions are an inspiration to Americans everywhere.”
Timothy Brooks of Philadelphia, Pa. for valiantly rescuing a woman and her three children who were stranded in the Delaware River after their tour boat collided with a barge and sank on July 7, 2010;
Marie Conley of Boston, Mass. for sacrificing her life to save a young boy by shielding him with her own body from a car that was barreling towards him on October 21, 2008; and,
Dr. Pascal Spino of Greensburg, Pa. for a lifetime’s commitment to treating children, often not charging those who cannot afford healthcare and saving tens of thousands of lives.
The 2011 Citizen Service Before Self Honors recipients were recognized by our nation’s most honored heroes, the fewer than 90 living Medal of Honor recipients, in the shadow of the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, made special remarks, and Major Garrett, Congressional Correspondent for National Journal emceed the ceremony.
“I, along with all of the living Medal of Honor recipients, salute Timothy Brooks, Marie Conley and Dr. Pascal Spino, for their selfless acts,” said Leo Thorsness, President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and a Foundation board member. “As true heroes among us, these three remarkable recipients epitomize the Citizen Service Before Self Honors concept of ‘service before self’ and are truly deserving of this award. Their actions are an inspiration to Americans everywhere.”
Photo credit: Arlington National Cemetery @ArlingtonNatl