Jamaica Plain/ Roxbury Citizen
October 25, 2001

Congressional Medal of Honor Convention Committee Announces Boston Schedule

More than 70 members of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society will converge on Boston to attend the group's annual convention this Wednesday October 24 to Sunday October 28, 2001.  The event will feature a number of public events, including school visits, a reception at the Massachusetts State House, the organization's Patriot Award dinner, a memorial services at Boston's Old North Church and a John McDermott and 82nd Airborne Division Chorus concert.

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in combat that an American in any branch of the armed services can receive.  Of the millions of men and women who have served our country since the Civil War, just 4,437 have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, and only 149 are still alive today.  This convention week marks the Medal of Honor Society's first visit to Boston

A presentation ceremony for organization members will be held at the State House in Boston on Thursday, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.  It will be the first opportunity that the general public will have to meet and talk with the Medal of Honor recipients.

On Thursday, select schools in the Greater Boston area will host a Medal of Honor recipient for an assembly-type visit.  The purpose of the visits is to give the students the opportunity to meet real life heroes and inspire young people to develop strong character and leadership skills.

The black tie Patriot award dinner will take place at the Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center on Friday, with a reception at 6:00 p.m. and dinner from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  The awards dinner is the premier event of the society's convention, and it will include a speaking program and award presentation as well as a performance by the U.S. Army's celebrated 82nd Airborne Division's All American Chorus.  The Patriot Award Dinner awards presentation includes the Patriot Award to Richard J. Eagan, United States Ambassador to Ireland and Chairman Emeritus of EMC Corporation, the "Tex McCrary" Award to Tim Russert, NBC, and The Bob Hope Award to John McDermott, Celtic Tenor.

On Saturday morning, the Medal of Honor recipients will participate in a memorial service for recently departed recipients at historic Old North Church.  Massachusetts Sergeant Charles MacGillivary, who passed away in June of 2000, will be among this honored.

Saturday night, Celtic tenor John McDermott will perform a "Remembrance" concert, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the South Boston Vietnam Memorial, at the Hynes Convention Center, stating at 7L00 p.m.  Tickets cost $25.  The 82nd Airborne Division's celebrated All American Chorus will also perform..

On Sunday, the official dedication of a Medal of Honor park in South Boston will create a permanent reminder for the society's 2001 visit to Boston.  The South Boston Vietnam veterans and the Medal of Honor Society will rededicate Independence Park as Medal of Honor Park.