In celebration of the life of the late Colonel Roger H. C. Donlon, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient (CMOH) US Army SF (R), Center for American Values Cofounder Major Drew Dix CMOH, CAV Board Members Sue Smith and Henry Jones, longstanding CAV friend Joan Annello, and CAV Staff, Tanya Quintana, traveled to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on April 10,2024.
Colonel Donlon was the first to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War. Both serving in Vietnam, Donlon and Major Drew Dix, shared a friendship of 55 years. In his heartfelt remarks on Donlon’s life, Dix emphasized a quote that Donlon lived by, “What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God”. Major Dix also commented on Donlon’s character and acts of service to America, in saying, “The dignity that Roger gave to the warrior class is a legacy that will last forever. The commitment and impact he had on our youth is long lasting.“
Colonel Donlon cared deeply for the current generation of warriors which was evidenced by the A-726 pallbearers carrying him to his final resting place and the hundreds of Special Forces brothers who gathered to honor his life.
The ceremony included recorded interviews with Colonel Donlon and his wife, Norma.
Heartfelt songs and memories were shared by service members and civilians.
Medal of Honor Recipients James McCloughan, Donald “Doc” Ballard, and Britt Slabinski, President of CMOH Society, were also in attendance.
Roger Donlon Celebration of Life | Livestream
RALPH PUCKETT, JR.Retired Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr., the last living Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient, passed away on April 8, 2024, in Columbus, Georgia, at the age of 97. Born on December 8, 1926, US Army Colonel Puckett enlisted at age 17 in the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps. A few years later, he was discharged to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. After graduation in 1949, he was asked to command a newly activated Rangers company that had not been active since World War II, then was deployed to Korea. Colonel Puckett received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Unsan in North Korea in 1950. Outnumbered 10 to 1, First Lt. Ralph Puckett Jr. led his Rangers company in an attack on Hill 205. His extraordinary valor and leadership allowed the Rangers to locate and destroy enemy positions and seize the hill. President Joseph Biden Jr. presented Puckett with the Medal of Honor at the White House on May 21, 2021, an upgrade from his first of two Distinguished Service Crosses. Puckett also served in the Vietnam War, retiring as a Colonel following a 22-year career. He was awarded two Silver Stars in Vietnam and earned five Purple Hearts across the two wars, as well as two Bronze Stars with "V" device for valor. He remained an important figure among U.S. Army Rangers and served as an "Honorary Colonel".
CITATION: GO TO WWW.CMOHS.ORG/RECIPIENTS/RALPH-PUCKETT-JR
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.
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.
