The Men Behind the Medal


The Men Behind the Medal
National Medal of Honor Day is Friday, March 25, 2022

In 2018, my husband Morrill Worcester and I were honored, and incredibly humbled, to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's Patriot Award.  

The work that we have been blessed to do through nonprofit Wreaths Across America has afforded us opportunities to meet so many amazing Gold and Blue Star families, veterans, and active-duty military all who have played a part in strengthening our resolve to share their stories of service and sacrifice.

You can't imagine how thrilled we were to have the chance to meet so many veterans, who had "distinguished themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty." 

It is not an exaggeration to say that meeting and getting to know some of these heroes has changed our lives and helped guide the Wreaths Across America mission to Remember, Honor and Teach. As we and a grateful nation celebrate National Medal of Honor Day, I'd like to share a few memories that I will carry in my heart forever.

One of the first encounters I ever had with a Medal of Honor Recipient was many years ago at a fund-raising dinner. I sat to the left of this gentlemen who was quite quiet, but apparently loved coffee. As the cups on our table were poured, he reached over and took my cup and saucer and placed it right on top of his, and yes, he drank both! Later, when he was introduced to speak, I learned the story of Jon R. Cavaiani. Not only was he a recipient of the Medal of Honor, but he also survived two years in a Vietnamese POW camp. However, I don't remember Jon Cavaiani as a coffee connoisseur. I remember him standing at the podium in a room so quiet you could hear a pin drop reciting 'Flanders Field' as I have never heard and felt before, or ever since. His presence was palpable.

Meeting Roger Donlon who was the first Medal of Honor Recipient of the Vietnam War and his wife Norma began a friendship that has enriched the lives of my family and the WAA organization. His acts of heroism are well documented, and it is so important to share each of the stories of this elite group of men. Their examples of selflessness, courage, and love of country are a time-tested blueprint for teaching the next generation the value of freedom. 

To me, by meeting this amazing couple, and through them so many other Medal of Honor Recipients and their families, I was given a gift of treasured encounters with champions of freedom.

My husband and I have talked of our shared faith with Gary Beikirch and his wife.

My grandkids sat at the feet of Bruce Crandall and played with his beloved dog, Huey.

Who could forget a first meeting with James McCloughan on an elevator as he broke loudly into a song later to find out our families and had quite a bit in common?

We enjoyed a morning of laughs after a chance breakfast encounter with Ryan Pitts and his beautiful, young family, and I loved listening to Sammy Davis' story about his harmonica.

I recall feeling so proud of him and proud to be an American as I listened to Leroy Petry speak emotionally and tactfully of his personal story, and events of the day for which he would be awarded his medal.

So many others have left what I hesitate to call an impression on me as it cuts so much deeper.

And of course, the Donlons whose story is nothing less than a love story – for each other, for family, community, and Country. And after all isn't that what truly matters?

There are others as well that we have so appreciated meeting. All of them heroes and willing to put others before themselves, both in military service and as civilians. They were willing to lay down their own lives so others could enjoy the precious moments that make life worth living and to do so in freedom.

Wreaths Across America's mission is to remember, honor and teach. Teach being the most important to me. The best way to teach is by example, and the example of courage, character, and service to others is evidenced in the stories of these giants among men. We must tell their stories of gallantry in battle for a next generation to understand at what price their liberties come.  

As for me, I am eternally grateful for having met them. What I have taken away from this incredible honor is a heightened commitment to share with others the life lessons I have learned from precious time spent with the men behind the medals.

Karen Worcester is the executive director of national nonprofit Wreaths Across America, whose mission to Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out all year long by dedicated volunteers in every state. Karen along with her husband Morrill, the founder of Wreaths Across America, were recognized by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society in 2018 as the recipients of the Patriot Award. The Patriot Award honors individuals who have exhibited dedication to and passion for the American ideals of freedom and democracy through their lives, words, and actions.