ARLINGTON, Va., March 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Recipients of the Medal of Honor, along with Members of Congress and The Boeing Company, announced last night on Capitol Hill the 20 finalists for the 2019 Congressional Medal of Honor Society Citizen Honors Awards, a nationwide Medal of Honor program that recognizes the heroism and selfless service of Americans.

Since 2008, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society has selected U.S. citizens and community organizations for their acts of courage and selfless service which epitomize the American spirit. In commemoration of National Medal of Honor Day, the Medal of Honor Recipients will recognize these extraordinary American citizens at a March 25 ceremony, made possible by The Boeing Company, at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C.

"The potential to do something extraordinary needs to be honored," said Medal of Honor Recipient Paul "Bud" Bucha, co-chairman of the 2019 Citizen Honors Honorary Committee. "The Citizen Honors Awards gives the Medal of Honor Recipients the opportunity to shine the spotlight on everyday Americans. These finalists are the best of us."

Senators Angus King, Jr., from Maine and Rick Scott from Florida along with Congressmen Don Bacon of the 2^nd District of Nebraska, Jim Cooper of the 5^th District of Tennessee and Ted Deutch of the 22^nd District of Florida were on-hand to announce the Finalists from their states and Congressional districts.

Officials from the offices of Senators Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Jaclyn Rosen of Nevada, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Congresswoman Katie Hill of the 25^th District of California and Congressman Tom Rice from the 7^th District of South Carolina also announced finalists from their states and Congressional districts.

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society Citizen Honors Award finalists for 2019 are:

Single Act of Heroism

Aaron Feis – Parkland, Florida

Blaine Hodge – Bakersfield, California

James Shaw, Jr. – Nashville, Tennessee

Stephen Willeford – San Antonio, Texas

Tammi Jo Shults – San Antonio, Texas

Service Act:

Travis Mills – Hallowell, Maine

Andrew Biggio – East Boston, Massachusetts

Bill and Evonne Williams – Omaha, Nebraska

Ed Torreyson – Centralia, Missouri

Monica Molina – Richmond, Virginia

Young Hero:

Peter Wang – Parkland, Florida

Alex Lowe and Wyatt Lyles – Glasgow, Kentucky

Anthony Borges – Parkland, Florida

Dana Bancroft – Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Tabitha Eaddy – Scranton, Pennsylvania

Community Service Hero:

Healing Household 6 – Jacksonville, North Carolina

Honor Flight Nevada – Reno, Nevada

Leave No Veteran Behind – Chicago, Illinois

Sheep Dog Impact Assistance – Rogers, Arkansas

Operation Gratitude – Los Angeles, California

For more information about the Citizen Honors Award or the Medal of Honor and its Recipients, visit the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation website at http://themedalofhonor.com.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society:

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered by the Congress in 1958 to create a brotherhood among the living Medal of Honor recipients, to protect and uphold the dignity and honor of the Medal, to promote patriotism and love of country, and to inspire our youth to become worthy dedicated citizens of our nation. Its membership consists exclusively of those individuals who have received the Medal of Honor. Today, there are 72 living recipients of the Medal of Honor. The Society is unique in that its membership hopes that there will be no need to welcome new inductees.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation:

The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation was founded in 1999 by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to perpetuate the legacy of the Medal. Through character development, scholarship and citizen recognition programs based on the values embodied in the Medal — courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism — the Foundation teaches all citizens that they can make a difference in the lives of others. The Foundation also supports the important work of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with Tax ID #25-1828488, the Foundation carries a rating of 4/4 stars for fiscal management, accountability and transparency from Charity Navigator, America's premiere nonprofit evaluator.

Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation

Contact: Eugenia Gardner, 240-361-8195 or Mike Caldwell, 703-469-1861

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SOURCE Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation