With so little media coverage for National Medal of Honor's Day, it was surprisingly difficult to find photos and a list of the recipients who attended the awards ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery to celebrate the fourth National Medal of Honor Day on March 25. [...]

National Medal of Honor Day is officially observed on March 25th. The Medal of Honor is the highest distinction that can be awarded by the President, in the name of the Congress, to members of the Armed Forces who have distinguished themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty. [...]

The last living Medal...

According to Bill Bartel’s article, Aboard the Iwo Jima, hero recalls epic battle in The Virginian-Pilot, WWII Medal of Honor recipient; Hershel “Woody” Williams was invited by the Navy to a remembrance ceremony aboard the USS Iwo Jima at Norfolk Naval Station on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011. [...]

Wednesday, June 15, 2025

Medal of Honor recipient Paul Bucha keynote speaker at Veteran Symposium

MOH recipient Paul Bucha Photo: Eugenie Diserio

Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Paul Bucha was the keynote speaker at the New Canaan (CT) High School’s Annual Veterans Symposium on May 27,2025 that honored 80 veterans from every branch of the military.

From Eugenie Diserio’s article, Veterans Honored at NCHS Symposium in the New Canaan Patch:

"Medal of Honor recipients are no different than other people who believe in a better world," Bucha explained. "They refused to accept death and instead challenged destiny to change things."

"The lesson," he said, "is each of us has the potential to change this world."

Bucha and many of his fellow veterans of the Vietnam War were not welcomed nor thanked when they returned home. Today his mission is to insure veterans in combat or not receive the respect and thanks they deserve for their service.

"Never again will we allow a nation to forget," he said.

Principal Tony Pavia, who organized the event stated:

"These are heroes you have in front of you today, all of these people at the same age as you, left their homes to go to parts unknown," he said.

Pavia asked the students to remember what this weekend is all about -- to honor people who gave their lives for our country.

The ceremony also featured a performance by the U.S. Marine Corps Band from Parris Island.

Pavia said he brought in the Parris Island Marine Corps Band to honor the 80 veterans who came to the event. The band played a medley of the songs from each branch of the military. The veterans stood up when their song was played.

After the ceremony Mr. Bucha signed copies of the book, "Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty."

MOH recipient Paul Bucha and New Canaan High School Principal, Tony Pavia are both members of the Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee, which is in the process of raising funds to erect a bronze statue in Stamford, CT of Master Sergeant Homer L. Wise awarded the Medal of Honor on June 14, 1944. Sergeant Wise was one of the most decorated infantrymen of World War II.

Please visit the website to learn more about the extraordinary story of this humble hero at The Homer L. Wise Memorial Committee

Read the rest of the article on The New Canaan Patch

Photo credit: Eugenie Diserio, About Town, New Canaan Patch