Veterans Advocate Group Hosts Evening with American Heroes

Building character in today’s youth requires commitment and dedication, something local veterans’ supporters are willing to take on. The Medal of Honor Society’s Character Development Program is a proven way to tackle the mission. Three Medal of Honor recipients will share their stories at this memorable event.

Keep the Flag Waving: The Value of Freedom, a fundraising dinner to support the program hosted by Friends of the Monument of Courage, is set for 6:30 p.m. April 16 at the MCM Eleganté, 801 Avenue Q. Lubbock and South Plains Sonic Drive-Ins are the main sponsor for the event.

The free curriculum was developed by educators, for teachers to teach the value of freedom. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society, whose leaders realized that with 125 oral histories recorded from Medal of Honor recipients, they had exactly what could become a curriculum, to teach elementary, middle and high school youth courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism to students through educationally grounded lessons.

Danny Koch, veteran and veteran advocate, encourages businesses to purchase a table of eight for their business associates who are veterans to acknowledge them and their service.

“We would like to see businesses, school districts, private schools, ROTC and other service groups buy a table for themselves or for first responders, Gold Star families and even Vietnam Vets,” Koch said. “Our hope is that every school in this area is able to use this free curriculum to teach the next generation about the value of freedom.”

Each Medal of Honor recipient is an ordinary person who did something extraordinary in the line of duty. The speakers, all Vietnam veterans, are Specialist 5 Dwight Birdwell, U.S. Army; Specialist 5 James McCloughan, U.S. Army; and Lt. Mike Thornton, U.S. Navy Seal.

Former Lubbock news anchor Kurt Kiser will emcee the event with music provided by local pastor and musician Jeff McCreight.

Sponsorship levels are:

$5,000, which includes two tables of eight, a Medal of Honor book signed by Medal of Honor guests, a Keep the Flag Waving Challenge Coin and a Challenge Coin of each of our Medal of Honor guests.

$2,500, includes one table of eight, a Medal of Honor book signed by Medal of Honor guests and Challenge Coins

$1,850, includes one table of eight and Challenge Coins

$1,350, includes one table of eight

To sponsor a table, contact Koch at (832) 492-4083 or [email protected].

Learn more about the Character Development program on its website and in this video.