Perpetuate the Legacy of Our Nation's Greatest Heroes

  • Published
  • By David J. McIntyre, Jr.
  • TriWest Healthcare Alliance
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Two years ago, Congress established National Medal of Honor Day on March 25 to recognize a small group of ordinary Americans who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances and responded with resounding courage. They are veterans who, while in the thick of the fight, acted with selflessness and beyond the call of duty with complete disregard for their own lives to save their comrades. They overcame formidable danger and, as a result, we are in their debt.

On this third anniversary of National Medal of Honor Day, we reflect upon not only these quintessential American heroes, but the values for which they stand -- patriotism, service above self and honor. These values inspire all of us engaged with the Armed Forces now -- where sacrifices are made every day by service members, their families, spouses and children -- so that we may live free in America.

The Medal of Honor is our nation's highest award for valor, and of the millions who have served in America's military, just 3,448 have earned this honor - including one woman. The Medal has been awarded to individuals who have served in every major conflict, to include the current ones. Many have been awarded posthumously, as the recipient gave his life during the action for which he was awarded the medal. Only 98 recipients of the Medal of Honor are living among us today.

Through my work within the military's TRICARE program as president and chief executive of TriWest Healthcare Alliance, as well as being a member of the Board of Directors of the Medal of Honor Foundation, I've had the honor and privilege of getting to know most of the living Medal of Honor recipients. I continue to find inspiration for my own daily challenges from the values they live by and their constant sense of duty and incredible humility. Some days I wonder where we would be as a country were all to live such values?

There are infinite lessons of perseverance, faith and courage to be learned from these men that we can emulate, not just in battle, but in life. I invite you to learn more and read their stories at www.cmhos.org

As President Ronald Reagan once said, "No weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women." National Medal of Honor Day is not a holiday, but instead a time to recognize that -- be it for country or cause -- each of us is called to act selflessly at one time or another for the greater good.
This is personified by no one better than our nation's greatest heroes, those who have been bestowed the Medal of Honor. On National Medal of Honor Day, we honor them and perpetuate their legacy and the values they stand for.

David J. McIntyre, Jr., is president and chief executive of TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the Phoenix-based TRICARE West Region contractor. He also is a board member of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.