Thirty-four Heritage Second Graders took part in a CAV Live Class at the Center on Thursday, April 18. Education Director, Lis Richard, provided an interactive lesson on Honor, Integrity, and Patriotism and heroism. Noted as an exemplary group of students, the class ended with a Walk of Valor.
Photo by Sgt. Henry Villarama/Army
US Army Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr., the last surviving Medal of Honor Recipient from the Korean War, will lie in honor at the United States Capitol on Monday, April 29th in recognition of his valor and sacrifice.
A rare honor, COL Puckett is one of two Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients to lie in honor at the US Capitol. Puckett was a decorated war hero that served his country for 22 years through multiple tours in Korea and Vietnam. He died at home on Monday, April 8th, at the age of 97.
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
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.
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.