Medal of Honor Recipients come to Lipscomb Aug. 7
Lacey Klotz |
America's most decorated warriors to discuss the values that shaped
their heroic decisions
lipscomb.edu/nashvillesalutes
Courage, sacrifice, patriotism, commitment, integrity and citizenship – qualities veterans exemplify when serving our great nation.
However, what sets apart Medal of Honor Recipients is their ability to take their ordinary call of duty and make it extraordinary.
On Friday, Aug. 7, Lipscomb University will host one of three public Medal of Honor town hall forums as a part of Nashville Salutes, a three-day tribute to our country’s greatest heroes coordinated by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.
Nashville Salutes will include various citywide events, Aug. 6-8, featuring 28 of the living Medal of Honor Recipients. Bill Haslam, Tennessee’s governor, has declared the week of Aug. 3-9, Congressional Medal of Honor “Service & Sacrifice” Week.
Three of the 79 living Medal of Honor Recipients – Lt. Tom Kelley, Sp4c.Gary Wetzel and 1st Lt. Brian Thacker – will share their life experiences in Lipscomb’s Stowe Hall, Swang Business Center, at 9 a.m. They will speak on how courage, sacrifice, patriotism and citizenship have shaped their lives.
The Lipscomb town hall forum will offer members of the community a truly unique opportunity – the chance to interact personally with these three individuals who have offered their lives on behalf of the welfare of the United States of America. Rudy Kalis, WSMV anchor and a veteran of the United States Air Force, will lead the Medal of Honor Recipients in a question-and-answer session and then will open the floor for community members to also ask questions directly to the veterans.
Special guest Many-Bears Grinder, Tennessee Department of Veterans Services commissioner, will also participate in the event, which will include videos of the three recipients present, all Vietnam War veterans, depicting their personal testimonies and the heroic efforts that led to their Medals of Honor.
Kelley, of the U.S. Navy, maneuvered himself and his vessel into the line of fire to allow his men to escape enemy fire on a Vietnamese river. Thacker, of the U.S. Army, called for artillery fire on his own position to allow his men to move to safety. Wetzel, of the U.S. Army, thwarted an enemy attack and pulled his wounded commander to safety despite grave wounds including the loss of his arm.
The forum will also provide information on the foundation’s Medal of Honor character development program titled “Lessons of Personal Bravery and Self-Sacrifice.”
The Medal of Honor award is our nation’s highest and rarest military decoration and is awarded to individuals who go above and beyond their call of duty by demonstrating extraordinary acts of heroism at the risk of their life, while engaging in action against an enemy force. Fewer than 3,500 individuals have received the honor, which is presented by the president of the United States in the name of Congress.
Lipscomb’s town hall forum, through Nashville Salutes, is free and open to the public, but registration for the event is recommended. You can register at lipscomb.edu/nashvillesalutes.
The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation hosts town hall forums across the nation with America's
most honored war heroes.