MOH organization begins membership drive

Local News

Related Photos

Congressional Medal of Honor recipients gather for a photo at last year's Medal of Honor banquet. This year's Medal of Honor Host City events are set for April 10-13 in Gainesville. The MOH Host City organization recently kicked off its annual membership drive. Staff photo by Greg Russell

Guest Book

February 16, 2013

MOH organization begins membership drive

Special to the Register The Daily Register Sat Feb 16, 2013, 09:46 AM CST

Gainesville — Organizers of the Medal of Honor Host City Program have announced that the annual membership drive begins this week, as a record number of MOH Recipients are expected to attend this year's event.

The 12th Annual Medal of Honor Weekend will be held April 10-13 and will feature numerous public activities which give area residents ample opportunity to meet and speak with some of the nation's greatest military heroes.

Recipient Leroy Petry, one of four living Recipients of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan plans to attend. Petry received the Medal of Honor July 12, 2011, in a White House ceremony. He was the second living recipient of the medal, after Army Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta, for actions occurring after the Vietnam War, and the ninth recipient for actions in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Reserved table and seat tickets for the Friday, April 12 banquet will go on sale at the Gainesville Civic Center next month; the exact date will be announced soon. Those with paid up Host City Program memberships (Oct. 1 -- Sept 30) have preferred access over non-members for all banquet seating.

Membership categories are:

Patriot Membership -- $99.00 - $25.00; Bronze Membership -- $249.00- $100.00; Silver Membership -- $499.00 - $250.00; Gold Membership -- $999.00 - $500.00, and Platinum Membership $1,000.00 and above.

Those purchasing seats must provide a name for each person in their group. Ticket prices are $25 for individual seats and $250 for a 10-seat table. Recipient tables are $500 for an eight-seat table, (plus the two seats for the Recipient and guest).

Due to the last minute timing of Recipients' attendance, a specific Recipient cannot be requested. If a Recipient is unable to attend at the last minute, that table reverts to a 10-seat, $250 table.

Memberships are tax deductible as the Medal of Honor Host City Program is a 501(c)(3), not for profit organization in accordance with the law. You may make your check payable to Medal of Honor Host City Program, 200 S. Rusk, Gainesville TX 76240. For more information call 665-2831.

Medal of Honor Park Project

The Medal of Honor group also announced the official start of its fund raising for Medal of Honor Park this week.

The half-acre park, located along the California Street exit off U.S. Interstate 35 North will feature fenced in landscaping, walkways, and a tiered, granite monument inscribed with the names of all Recipients who have visited Gainesville topped by a large bronze American eagle.

Ground breaking is scheduled for April 12.

Incorporated into the design is a plaza comprised of engraved bricks bearing the names and branch of service of all 3,460 Recipients of the Medal of Honor since its inception in 1862. Currently there are 80 living Recipients; former Army SSgt. Clinton Romesha, received the Medal of Honor for his action in Afghanistan at the White House on Feb. 11.

Donors of $100 per brick will be able to honor the Recipients of their choice by name, or by a specific war or branch of service and leaving the name of the Recipient to Host City Program staff.

For information or updates, contact 665-2831, or visit http://www.medalofhonorhostcity.com.; follow all Medal of Honor Host City Program activities on Facebook.

Text Only

Local News

Fletcher: West Nile precautions underway
Recent humidity has brought the promise of mosquito breeding and the collateral threat of West Nile Virus.
And while local officials say there is no current evidence of the pathogen, they admit they expect it.

May 25, 2013 1 Photo
Blumberg finds calling as reading teacher
At the May 20 Gainesville Independent School District (GISD) board meeting, Callisburg graduate and Edison Elementary School first grade teacher Jamie Blumberg was chosen as the elementary teacher of the month for the GISD. Gainesville High School teacher Melissa Hutchison was named secondary teacher of the month.

May 25, 2013 1 Photo
Grand jury hands down indictments
The Cooke County Grand Jury recently released a slate of criminal indictments, filed during the past week.

May 25, 2013
Morton Museum gets dolled up for summer
The Morton Museum of Cooke County is gearing up for a full slate of summer programs including children’s tea parties, doll exhibits from across America, private tours and other events designed for both kids and adults.
“We are building on the huge success of our recent auction and fundraiser by planning many wonderful events throughout the summer for our community,” museum director Jayleane Smith said. “ This will be a wonderful time for groups to come to the museum and see our new exhibits.

May 25, 2013 1 Photo
City employee of the month
Gainesville Human Resources Coordinator Jo Ann Mendez, left, was named “Employee of the Month” for May 2013 during Tuesday’s regular city council meeting. City manager Barry Sullivan presented the award.

May 25, 2013 1 Photo
Summer Sounds series returns to Gainesville
This year’s three-installment “Summer Sounds” outdoor concert series begins Friday, May 31, in downtown Gainesville, with Austin-based rockabilly musician Junior Brown serving as headliner.

May 24, 2013 2 Photos
Kiwanis Club pledges $25K to Abigail's Arms
Abigail’s Arms Executive Director Kim Cook and Capital Campaign Chairperson Karon Sullivant accepted a $25,000 pledge at the Gainesville Kiwanis Club meeting Tuesday.

May 24, 2013 1 Photo
What's it worth?
May 24, 2013 1 Photo
Area bankers fight cyber crime
May 24, 2013 1 Photo
Noblitt discusses demo projects
Over 700 commercial and residential buildings have code violations as detailed by Gainesville Community Services Director John Noblitt at Wednesday Lion’s Club meeting in Gainesville.

May 24, 2013
More Local News Headlines

What are your plans for this summer's travel season?