GETTYSBURG, Pa., Oct. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In preparation for the 2013 Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention in Gettysburg, the Convention Organizing Committee will host a ceremonial flag raising event on Wednesday, Oct. 17.  The event, which will be held in Lincoln Square, will officially kick-off the events leading up to 2013 Convention, scheduled for Sept 18-22.

During the ceremony, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and American flags will be raised in honor of the 2013 Convention. Both flags will remain in Lincoln Square until the completion of the Convention.  The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. with remarks by Gettysburg Mayor William Troxell, Robert J. Monahan, Jr., President and CEO of the Convention, and Medal of Honor recipients Barney Barnum and Brian Thacker.

"The upcoming convention in Gettysburg is significant as it will celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln's historic Gettysburg Address and the 55^th anniversary of President Eisenhower's chartering of the Medal of Honor Society," Monahan said. "Sixty-three Medals of Honor were awarded to those serving in the Battle of Gettysburg, including the first female recipient, and we are honored to celebrate our current recipients in such a historic town."

Also in recognition of the upcoming Convention, local Gettysburg-area school districts are implementing the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation's Character Development Program, which incorporates the ideals of courage and selfless service into middle and high school curricula to build character and promote responsible citizenship.

"It's important to educate students and the community regarding the values the Medal of Honor embodies - courage, sacrifice and selfless service," Monahan said.  "Through the upcoming Convention and the accompanying events, we hope to increase awareness about the Medal of Honor and what it represents."

Robert J. Stevens, Chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin will serve as the 2013 Convention Chairman. Lockheed Martin is a major sponsor of this year's event along with Boeing, BAE Systems, UTC, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Xylem, Exelis, ITT and Rockwell Collins.  

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States.  Each year the Congressional Medal of Honor Society gathers in a different city in the U.S. to perpetuate the mission of the Society, further the brotherhood amongst one another and honor and remember those who have served.  For more information about the Medal of Honor or the Convention, please visit www.cmoh2013.org.

SOURCE Congressional Medal of Honor Society