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.