Veterans
GalleryUS reflects on sacrifice, service during National Medal of Honor Day
Stars and Stripes
March 25, 2024
The nation paused to remember the more than 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients for National Medal of Honor Day on Monday.
Army Command Sgt. Maj. Robert M. Patterson and Col. Walter J. Marm Jr. participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery Monday as part of a visit by MOH recipients to the cemetery to mark the day, according to a post on Arlington National Cemetery’s Facebook page.
Medal of Honor recipients visit Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, March 25, 2024, in honor of National Medal of Honor Day. Recipients included Sgt. Maj. Robert M. Patterson and Col. Walter J. Marm Jr., who participated in Armed Forces Full Honors Wreath-Laying Ceremony. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)
March 25 is designated as National Medal of Honor Day. The annual day, first observed in 1991, “provides an opportunity for Medal of Honor Recipients and the public alike to pause and reflect on the importance of service and sacrifice,” according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
The date holds special significance, as the first Medal of Honor was presented to Army Pvt. Jacob Parrott on that day in 1863. Five other members of Andrews’ Raiders — a group of soldiers who carried out a plan by civilian scout and spy James J. Andrews to destroy the Western and Atlantic Railroad and cut off supplies and reinforcements to the Confederate Army — also would receive the Medal of Honor that day.
This year, Medal of Honor recipients spent several days participating in community outreach activities and events across the country, including a memorial service at the Medal of Honor Memorial in Indianapolis and a visit to Fort Belvoir in partnership with the USO, according to the Medal of Honor Society.
Medal of Honor recipient Mike Thornton spoke about the importance of Medal of Honor Day and how we can all help preserve the legacy of the Medal of Honor during a ceremony Monday, March 25, 2024, at the USS Laffey Museum at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, S.C. (Congressional Medal of Honor Society)
Medal of Honor recipients visit Arlington National Cemetery and visit gravesites to commemorate National Medal of Honor Day, Arlington, Va., Monday, March 25, 2024. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)
Medal of Honor recipients visit Arlington National Cemetery and visit gravesites to commemorate National Medal of Honor Day, Arlington, Va., Monday, March 25, 2024. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)
Medal of Honor recipients visit Arlington National Cemetery and visit gravesites to commemorate National Medal of Honor Day, Arlington, Va., Monday, March 25, 2024. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)
Medal of Honor recipients visit Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate National Medal of Honor Day, Arlington, Va., Monday, March 25, 2024. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)
Medal of Honor recipients visit Arlington National Cemetery and visit gravesites to commemorate National Medal of Honor Day, Arlington, Va., Monday, March 25, 2024. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)
National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington Commanding General Maj. Gen. Trevor J. Bredenkamp speaks with a Medal of Honor recipient outside of the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Monday, March 25, 2024. The recipients were at ANC for an annual reflection ceremony for National Medal of Honor Day. The ceremony included an Army Full Honors Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier conducted by Medal of Honor recipients. (Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)