Meet Some of our Outstanding Congress Honorees!

Opening Night of  the 131st Continental Congress is fast approaching! If you are planning to attend our “welcome home” Congress, which kicks off in a gala celebration on June 29 in Washington, D.C., I encourage you to register online at the Congress Website before the online deadline of June 1. (You may still register on-site during the week of Congress, but you will save $50 on the member registration fee and $75 on guest registration if you do so online before June 1.) Your early, online registration also helps to ensure that we have an accurate estimate of attendees for what is shaping up to be a large Congress attendance!

Need more incentive to finalize your plans to join us? I’m thrilled to share highlights about just a few of the outstanding award winners and speakers who will be featured during our evening ceremonies. Of course, we may have a few surprises in store for you, too – but here is a high-level overview of just some of our honorees:

Opening Night – Wednesday, June 29

Carlos Del Toro – Americanism Medal

The Americanism Award will be presented to Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy. Del Toro, born in Havana, Cuba, immigrated to the United States in 1962, and joined the U.S. Navy upon his college graduation. His naval career spans 22 years and numerous tours of duty and positions, including Commanding Officer of the guided missile destroyer USS Bulkely.

Education Awards Night – Thursday, June 30

Education Awards Night will feature several honorees, including American History Essay contest winners from 5th-8th grade and the new high school essay contest winner. The DAR Good Citizen Award will also be awarded to two outstanding young people demonstrating the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. DAR will honor the Outstanding Teacher of American History of the year and the State and National Outstanding Junior members. Entertainment will be provided by the DAR All American Chorus.

National Defense Night – Saturday, July 2

Hershel “Woody” Williams – DAR Medal of Honor

The DAR Medal of Honor will be presented to Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams. Also a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, Williams joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 and saw action in the Pacific Theatre. Williams distinguished himself on February 23, 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima, where he fought for hours under heavy fire and minimal cover to eliminate Japanese positions. His unrelenting determination on the battlefield helped neutralize this strongly defended Japanese strongpoint and ensure American victory. President Harry Truman presented him with the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1945; Williams is also the recipient of a Purple Heart. After his service, he joined the U.S. Department of Veterans affairs and was a public servant for 33 years.

Pat Scannon – Founders Medal for Patriotism

The Founders Medal for Patriotism will be presented to Pat Scannon, M.D., Ph.D., in recognition of his work as the founder of Project Recover and his commitment to repatriating Americans missing in action since World War II. Project Recover, formerly The BentProp Project, was founded by Scannon in 1994 and seeks to find the aircraft of serviceman missing in action using the latest science and technology and honoring their sacrifice with their families.

These are just a few of the award winners that will be joining us at the 131st Continental Congress. Make sure to visit the Congress Website Honorees page to learn about more all of our Congress award winners. But please remember – June 1 is the last day to register online for the 131st Continental Congress with reduced fees.

Go to the Congress Website to learn more about all that this year’s conference will offer, including the schedule of events and a preview of some of the national award winners. I am so anxious to welcome you home after three long years away – and trust me: it is going to be an amazing reunion!