2012 Medal of Honor Weekend Dates Set, April 11-14
This year's Medal of Honor Weekend promises to be a record setting event as confirmed Recipient attendance is already nearing double-digits; 13 is the greatest number the annual event has drawn.
All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise specified.
11 April, Wednesday: Recipients' motorcade, escorted by Patriot Guard Riders will arrive at the Gainesville
Outlet Mall approximately 5-5:30 p.m. A rousing Gainesville welcome at the
Outlet Mall would set the tone for the weekend.
12 April, Thursday: Day's events focused on meeting and speaking with local students--the primary goal of the Host City Program--and the priority of the Recipients who want relaxed, “child-friendly” activities so that even the youngest benefit from the Recipients’ patriotic message.
Starting at 6 p.m. the public is invited to attend an informal fish fry at
Gainesville High School, 2201 S. I-35; tickets are $10 per person. This is probably the best opportunity to meet and speak with the Recipients in a relaxed atmosphere.
13 April, Friday: Activities begin at 10 a.m. with the dedication of newly-planted live oak trees honoring each Recipient on their first visit to Gainesville. The public is invited to attend this short program at the intersection of Gainesville’s Homegrown Hero Walking Trail and Taylor Street.
Following lunch, the Recipients will get a chance to see some of Gainesville's local color including skeet shooting, ranch tours and learning the history of the area.
The annual Banquet and program begins at 6 p.m. with social hour at the Gainesville Civic Center. This is a reservations only event; further details on tickets, table availability and program content will be available at a later date.
14 April, Saturday: This year's parade will form up beginning from 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. and will step off at 10 a.m. sharp.
Following the parade the Recipients and Guests will break for lunch with active duty military and local emergency personnel and then be available for the 1 p.m. public book signing and autograph session starting at the Civic Center.
This is the last public event as the Recipients will leave on their return trips early Saturday morning.
President’s Newsletter: A rare experience, a great honor
“It shall be the privilege
and responsibility of the City of Gainesville Texas to
welcome our Nation's Medal of Honor Recipients at every
opportunity.In
so doing we pay homage to the principles which the Medal of
Honor represents… Duty, Honor, Country." – MOH Host City
Mission Statement
By Scott Richardson,
President
One thing that is immediately
obvious when joining the Medal of Honor Host City Program is
that all its volunteers take the above mission statement to
heart. They take humble and sincere responsibility in
welcoming our nation’s greatest heroes to Gainesville.Based on grass roots principles that represent our
deep belief in Duty, Honor and Country, we open our small
town to the Recipients every spring. This creates a rare
opportunity for our school kids, veterans and citizens to
casually meet and speak with MOH Recipients, a rare
opportunity for Americans. Making this interaction with the
Recipients possible is in itself a huge personal reward to
our MOH Host City volunteers.
The excitement and
anticipation is building for our 2012 Medal of Honor Host
City Program, set for Wednesday, April 11 to Saturday, April
14. Once the Recipients depart, we take a short breather,
then begin immediate preparation for an even better event
only 11 months away. This year we anticipate a record number
of Recipients to attend, and as always, made a special
effort to bring first-time Recipient visitors to our event.
We are still finalizing this
year’s plans, so be sure to continue checking this website
for the latest details on our event schedule.You can also contact the Gainesville Chamber of
Commerce for information at 940-665-2831. Remember, we
welcome new volunteers year round.
Many of our MOH Recipients
have called Gainesville, Texas " the most patriotic city in America"; what a compliment to our city and our Host City
Program. If you have yet to attend our Medal of Honor
Weekend events (free or minimum charge), come join the
excitement and have the honor of meeting our nation’s
greatest heroes. We promise a big dose of American
patriotism and pride, and if you have attended one of our
events, we ask for your continued support.
Come join us!
The nation's oldest Medal of Honor Recipient, the legendary John Finn, hero of Pearl Harbor, was laid to rest 3 June, 2010 outside San Diego California. Each of his last three years Mr. Finn visited our small town; it was a mutual love affair-- the subject of the documentary "A Hero's Welcome". Click here for video
The Battle of Iwo Jima
Medals of Honor awarded-27, 14 posthumously; four to Navy personnel and 23 to Marines—almost one-third of all those awarded to Marines in WWII.
Medal of Honor Facts
The Navy version of the Medal (also awarded to the USMC and Coast Guard) was approved Dec. 21, 1861; the Army version on July 12, 1862, the Air Force version on July 6, 1960.
Medal of Honor Award Criteria
Incontestable evidence of at least two eyewitnesses;
Action clearly distinguishes it as the utmost gallantry beyond the call of duty
Involve the risk of life
The type of deed which, if not done, would not subject the Recipient to any justified criticism.
Nation's oldest Medal of Honor Recipient, the legendary John Finn, hero of Pearl Harbor, was laid to rest 3 June, 2010 outside San Diego California.
For the three years before his death Mr. Finn visited our small town; it was a mutual love affair-- the subject of the documentary "A Hero's Welcome".
