National Medal of Honor Day was a captivating, moving day at the Center for American Values with four separate events and two Medal of Honor Recipients, Major Drew Dix and the Honorable Ron Ray the Former Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
The day launched at the Center with an engaging presentation by Lis Richard, CAV Education Director, on the Medal of Honor with area veterans, students, and volunteers. The day’s second hallmark event was held on the north side of Pueblo with Major Drew Dix and Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham unveiling the extension of the Drew Dix Parkway and the city’s new Medal of Honor signage. The project was led by Andrew Hayes, the Director of Public Works for the City of Pueblo.
Through lunch, guests were treated to the premiere of Major Dix’s interview with Dr. Ben Carson on his Common Sense podcast, Defending Our Values: Honoring American Heroes.
Drew Dix interview with Dr. Ben Carson on "Common Sense" podcast
Capping off the Medal of Honor Day, a packed audience and online viewers listed to a series of captivation presentations from Medal of Honor Recipients Dix and Ray. Presentations were also provided by Medal of Honor Historian Doug Sterner, and the author of the “Little Blue Ribbon”, US Army CW2 Allen Hankins. Presentation of the Colors were provided by the US Army 743rd Intelligence Battalion of Buckley Space Force Base, CSU-Pueblo Graduate Desirree Floyd sang the National Anthem, and the invocation was delivered by US Army Infantry SSG Walter Lau Hee.
National Medal of Honor Day | On Values Drew Dix and Ron Ray
A tribute was also held in memory of four recent fallen Medal of Honor Recipients that included: Hiroshi “Hershey” Miyamura, Frank Herda, Roger Donlon, and Larry Taylor.
The Center hosted a field trip for 32 Bessemer Academy 2nd Grade students on Tuesday, March 19th. Students visited the Center where they learned about and participated in activities around Everyday Heroes. At the conclusion of the class, students experienced the Walk of Valor and the Center Event Coordinator, Tanya Quintana, shared history of the students' hometown, the Pueblo Home of Heroes.
St. Therese Catholic School's 4th and 5th Grade Students visited the Center for American Values on March 7th. The students learned about the United States’ highest military award for valor, the Medal of Honor, and the heroes awarded. At the conclusion of class, students were asked to write a paper on their personal “Hero," select a Medal of Honor Recipient to research and report on, and then experienced the Walk of Valor and a visit to Veterans Bridge.
Medal of Honor Recipient & Cofounder of the Center for American Values, Major Drew Dix
was featured on the latest episode of Pueblo Veterans and Their Stories Podcast!
Educational outreach focused on the Center's Core Values of Honor, Integrity, and Patriotism (HIP) are used to provide unique classroom resources for parents and educators at all levels. Students are empowered to identify and define the character attributes that relate directly to American values. State-of-the-art technology and interactive audio/visual modules enhance the learning experience.
This learning management system and delivery platform is a multi-media experience to exponentially expand the reach of HIP Education to students throughout the Country. The online based learning environment attracts parents, teachers, home schoolers, as well as online curriculum providers. Click to Register
Medal of Honor recipients and noted speakers from all walks of life help bring new awareness to a variety of subjects intended to educate, inform, and create discussion about the significance of American values. Their presentations are captured and archived for the Center's Narratives Project which is evolving into a one of a kind audio/video library. Speakers who have shared their extraordinary stories include: James P. Owen, Wall Street veteran and author of Cowboy Values and Cowboy Ethics; James Humes, author and White House speechwriter for five presidents; Corey Ciocchetti, Professor of Ethics, University of Denver; Michael Sabbeth, Esq., author of How to Talk with Children About Values; Fisher DeBerry, Hall of Fame Air Force Football Coach; Michael Strobl, author of Taking Chance; Dr. Rick Rigsby, author of Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout; Kathryn Childers, First Female Secret Service Agent.
The Center for American Values hosts and promotes conferences, seminars, continuing education, and community events that align with our Mission, Vision and Core Values. The Center is also available for private tours and other events.
The Center for American Values has published a book of Medal of Honor quotes, subtitled "Inspiration from America's Military Heroes." The publication features a collection of quotes that reflect the honor, courage and humility of our most decorated war heroes.