Join Steven & Friends TONIGHT for "National Medal of Honor Day!" with Warriors for Life (WFL)
- Col (Ret) Mikel Burroughs
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
Join our Volunteer, Air Force Veteran, Peer Support Specialist, and Writer/Author Steven Bates TONIGHT for "Mid-Week Musings!" edition of Warriors for Life (WFL) Online, sponsored and presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV).
We are asking everyone to share who we are and the support that Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) is providing through Warriors for Life (WFL). If you know someone who is a veteran, first responder or a family member/caregiver, please ask them to join us for at least one meeting so they can learn more about what we do and how they can share their wisdom with others who may be able to learn from them.
TONIGHT's Topic: "National Medal of Honor Day!"
"Today is the day Americans celebrate National Medal of Honor Day, a day to recognize those who went above and beyond the call of duty, those who exhibited great courage under extreme circumstances, those who didn't give up in the face of certain adversity. Most know of the three main Medals of Honor, also known as the Congressional Medals of Honor, and they are the Army, Air Force, and Navy versions.
What most people don't know is that there is a fourth version of the Medal of Honor, that of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor."
Conincidentally, today is also the birthday of an astronaut who earned the Space Medal of Honor, James (Jim) Lovell. Most Americans know Jim Lovell only for his famous words, spoken calmly in the most hazardous of situations: "Houston, we've had a problem here." His calm handling of the Apollo 13 incident and his return of the crew safely to Earth earned him the Space Medal of Honor, and it is something we should all strive to emulate."
So, as veterans, how and why should we celebrate National Medal of Honor Day? How can we honor those who have earned the Medal of Honor in such a way that recognizes their commitment and valor while at the same time trying to master the same set of skills?"
National Medal of Honor Day is a profound opportunity to bridge the gap between historical reverence and personal growth. For those who have served, it isn’t just about looking back at acts of valor; it’s about identifying the universal virtues—courage, sacrifice, and selfless service—that defined those moments and integrating them into daily Life. Here is how and why we can celebrate this day while striving to master the same principles:
1. The "Why": Cultivating the Ethos of Service
Celebrating this day reinforces the standard of excellence within the community. It serves as a reminder that extraordinary courage often springs from ordinary individuals who remained committed to their brothers and sisters-in-arms. By honoring them, you reaffirm your own commitment to the values that define the military profession, ensuring that the "Medal of Honor" spirit remains an active part of your character rather than a closed chapter of history.
2. The "How": Living the Legacy
To truly honor these recipients, the celebration should be active rather than passive.
Study the Citations: Choose one or two recipients and read their full citations. Beyond the action itself, look for the "pre-action" traits—discipline, situational awareness, and the decision to put others first.
Mentorship: Honor their sacrifice by pouring your experience into the next generation. Whether through peer support or community leadership, passing on the "skills" of resilience and integrity is a living tribute.
Community Engagement: Use the day to share these stories with those who haven't served. Translating the "valor" of the Medal of Honor into "values" the public can understand helps bridge the civilian-military divide.
Active celebration of Medal of Honor recipients means transforming admiration into action by embodying the core values they displayed: courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, patriotism, and citizenship. "Living the Legacy" moves beyond passive remembrance to integrating these principles into daily life and community service.
Here is "How" to actively live the legacy:
1. Daily Application of Values
Live with Purpose: Apply the same dedication to your life, work, and community that recipients showed in service.
Embody Integrity: Make ethical decisions and act with courage in everyday situations.
Serve Others: Actively participate in community building and support fellow citizens, as highlighted by Medal of Honor Society initiatives.
2. Education and Sharing
Learn and Teach Stories: Actively learn the stories of recipients and share them with children and grandchildren to ensure their history is not forgotten.
Engage with the Museum: Utilize resources from institutions like the National Medal of Honor Museum, which is designed to teach why recipient actions mattered and how they resonate today.
Promote Character Education: Use the Medal of Honor Society's resources to teach character development in schools and communities.
3. Direct Support and Engagement
Support the Society: Donate to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to directly support their outreach and educational programs.
Connect with Recipients: Reach out through the Society to offer thanks or invite recipients to events, bridging the gap between recipients and the community.
Support Citizen Heroes: Recognize "Citizen Honors" awardees—everyday Americans who have put these values into action—to see how others are living the legacy.
4. Active Remembrance
Visit and Respect: Actively visit veterans' graves, memorials, and monuments.
Celebrate Actively: Rather than just relaxing on holidays like Memorial Day, utilize those moments to "say their names," study their history, and reflect on the cost of freedom.
By doing these things, the legacy of the Medal of Honor becomes a "living history," rather than just a memory, fostering a stronger community for future generati
Join Air Force veteran, author, and Peer Support Specialist Steven Bates with the Warriors for Life Mid-Week Musings as we discuss the qualities and actions that earn an individual the highest tribute in the nation, the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Warriors for Life (WFL) Online "Mid-Week Musings!" edition presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) — Wednesday (TONIGHT), March 25, 2026, @ 4:30 PM PT, 5:30 PM MT, 6:30 PM CT, & 7:30 PM ET
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87440882846
Thank you,
Steven Bates, Air Force Veteran, Writer/Author, Peer Support Specialist, &
Volunteer Facilitator, Victory for Veterans, Inc.
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