Medal of Honor Host City Museum

04/02/2026

03/30/2026

03/30/2026

On National Medal of Honor Day, more than 20 Medal of Honor Recipients came together to recognize a group of Citizen Honors Awards honorees - individuals whose actions reflect a deep commitment to others in moments that mattered most.

Their stories are different, but what they represent is shared. As Medal of Honor Recipient Kyle Carpenter shared, “‘Above and beyond’ is not defined by war, rank, or uniform... it exists in homes, in schools, in workplaces, and in communities across America.”

2026 Citizen Honors Awardees:

🇺🇸 Victor Greenawalt — Young Hero Award: During a school shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Victor demonstrated extraordinary bravery far beyond his years, protecting a classmate with his own body and saving their life.

🇺🇸 Anderson “Chase” Childers — Single Act of Heroism Award (Posthumous): On July 13, 2025, Chase gave his life while rescuing five strangers caught in a dangerous rip current off Pawleys Island, South Carolina, helping all five to safety before being overtaken by the current.

🇺🇸 John “Johnny” Wactor III — Single Act of Heroism Award (Posthumous): In the early morning hours of May 25, 2024, in downtown Los Angeles, Johnny made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his coworker from armed attackers, shielding her with his own body.

🇺🇸 Dorothy “Ms. Dot” Linson — Service Act Award: For more than 26 years, Ms. Dot has devoted her life to ensuring that no child or senior in her community goes hungry, personally funding, preparing, and serving thousands of meals through efforts including “Ms. Dot’s Kitchen.”

🇺🇸 Cody Two Bulls — Youth Service Award: A high school senior and member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Cody founded Backpacks & Baseball, distributing thousands of backpacks, meals, and essential supplies while creating meaningful opportunities for children on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

🇺🇸 Jonas Babcock Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution — Community Service Award: For more than 50 years, the chapter has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to honoring service members and veterans through preservation, advocacy, and more than 7,000 volunteer hours annually.

To this year’s honorees, and to the families who stand behind them, thank you. Your actions reflect the very best of our nation, and your example carries forward far beyond a single moment.

Nominations for next year’s Citizen Honors Awards are now open. This is the moment to recognize those you have seen step forward, those whose actions are shaping their communities and strengthening our country.

Nominate someone who reflects the best of America: www.cmohs.org/citizen-honors/nominate

03/29/2026

03/29/2026

📣 Volunteer Meeting Reminder: Monday, March 30 🇺🇸

We’re in the final stretch.

With Medal of Honor Week 2026 just around the corner, this is the time to lock in the details and ensure every piece is in place for the 25th-anniversary celebration.

If you’re planning to volunteer, join us and get plugged into your committee so you’re ready to go when the week kicks off.

🕠 5:30 PM – Committee Meetings
🕕 6:00 PM – General Meeting

RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/share/18BKubBouN/

Look forward to seeing you there!

03/29/2026

Today, on National Vietnam War Veterans Day, we honor the veterans who served our nation during the Vietnam War.

We recognize the courage, sacrifice, and burdens many carried long after returning home. For the years when that service was not fully acknowledged, we offer our deepest respect and our enduring gratitude.

Welcome home.

03/29/2026

It’s almost time. 🇺🇸✨

Medal of Honor Week is right around the corner! This year marks 25 years of Gainesville coming together to honor courage, service, and sacrifice while welcoming Recipients and their families.

From the motorcade to the parade, and everything in between… it’s a week you don’t want to miss.

Take a look at what’s ahead and start making your plans for how you're going to be part of the celebration 👀

03/27/2026

National Vietnam War Veterans Day is observed every year on March 29 in the United States, honoring the 9 million Americans who served during the Vietnam War and remembering the more than 58,000 who never came home. It marks the date in 1973 when the last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam and the final acknowledged POWs were released.

🇺🇸 What “Vietnam War Day” Refers To

Most people mean National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a national observance—not a federal holiday—held annually on March 29.

• Established: First proclaimed in 2012; made an annual observance in 2017.
• Why March 29: It’s the anniversary of the disbanding of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) and the departure of the last U.S. combat troops in 1973.
• Who it honors:• All who served during the Vietnam War era
• The 58,000+ service members who died
• POWs and those still unaccounted for
• Families who carried the burden at home

📅 How It’s Observed Nationwide

Common tributes across the country include:

• Wreath‑laying ceremonies at memorials, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
• Recognition programs hosted by American Legion posts, VFWs, and community groups
• Moments of silence for the fallen
• School and community education about the war’s history and impact

🕊️ Why It Matters

National Vietnam War Veterans Day helps:

• Honor service and sacrifice
• Acknowledge the difficult homecoming many Vietnam veterans faced
• Educate younger generations about the war and its long-term effects
• Ensure no Vietnam veteran is ever forgotten

03/26/2026

Our museum is honored to be represented at the 3rd Annual Medal of Honor Summit today in Washington, D.C.

​This marks our third year participating in this national dialogue dedicated to preserving the legacy and upholding the values of our nation's heroes. We are proud to collaborate with organizations across the country to ensure these stories of valor continue to inspire future generations.