ABOVE & BEYOND


ABOUT

The Above & Beyond Citizen Honors were created to inspire and encourage all Americans to promote “service before self.” Every day in this country, ordinary Americans become extraordinary. It can happen in a single instance of bravery – or through continued service to others. These acts of courage and self-sacrifice symbolize the American spirit and are recognized every year by our nation’s greatest heroes.

Each year a nationwide search and selection process is conducted to identify and honor remarkable Americans who have acted selflessly towards their fellow citizens. The top three receive the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors (“Citizen Honors”). The honorees receive this award from a group of Americans whose actions have defined the words courage and selfless service — the living members of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. These brave Americans have received the Medal of Honor for their acts of valor performed during wartime and present the Citizen Honors to Americans who are showing courage and dedicating themselves to service here at home. The Citizen Honors are supported by every branch of the United States Armed Forces.

ABOUT

The Above & Beyond Citizen Honors were created to inspire and encourage all Americans to promote “service before self.” Every day in this country, ordinary Americans become extraordinary. It can happen in a single instance of bravery – or through continued service to others. These acts of courage and self-sacrifice symbolize the American spirit and are recognized every year by our nation’s greatest heroes.

Each year a nationwide search and selection process is conducted to identify and honor remarkable Americans who have acted selflessly towards their fellow citizens. The top three receive the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors (“Citizen Honors”). The honorees receive this award from a group of Americans whose actions have defined the words courage and selfless service — the living members of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. These brave Americans have received the Medal of Honor for their acts of valor performed during wartime and present the Citizen Honors to Americans who are showing courage and dedicating themselves to service here at home. The Citizen Honors are supported by every branch of the United States Armed Forces.

ABOUT

The Above & Beyond Citizen Honors were created to inspire and encourage all Americans to promote “service before self.” Every day in this country, ordinary Americans become extraordinary. It can happen in a single instance of bravery – or through continued service to others. These acts of courage and self-sacrifice symbolize the American spirit and are recognized every year by our nation’s greatest heroes.

Each year a nationwide search and selection process is conducted to identify and honor remarkable Americans who have acted selflessly towards their fellow citizens. The top three receive the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors (“Citizen Honors”). The honorees receive this award from a group of Americans whose actions have defined the words courage and selfless service — the living members of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. These brave Americans have received the Medal of Honor for their acts of valor performed during wartime and present the Citizen Honors to Americans who are showing courage and dedicating themselves to service here at home. The Citizen Honors are supported by every branch of the United States Armed Forces.

THE INSPIRATION

In 2007, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society asked David Clark to come up with an idea to expand the scope of their annual gala in order to more effectively promote the military ethic of “service before self.” After some due diligence on the Medal of Honor and the US Military, the following items struck Clark:
  • The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is regarded as the most prestigious organization in the United States because its members are solely comprised of recipients of our nation’s highest award for valor in combat – The Medal of Honor.
  • As the Commander In Chief, everyone in the military including four star Generals have to initiative a salute to the President when they encounter him – with the exception of Medal of Honor recipients. By custom, the President has to initiate a salute when he encounters them.
  • The highest award that could be given to a civilian in the United States, was the Presidential Medal of Freedom. However, the President could give this award to anyone of his/her choosing. 
  • In 1861 Abraham Lincoln stated; “Any Nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure,” and then created the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in combat.
After thinking about all the above, Clark believed he could create a national Cause Brand that would inspire and endure. With this goal, Clark creates the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors to recognize civilian heroism. What gave this new award it’s gravitas, was that nominations came from the public, and that the jury that selected the Civilian Honors each year would be solely comprised of Medal of Honor recipients. 

THE INSPIRATION

In 2007, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society asked David Clark to come up with an idea to expand the scope of their annual gala in order to more effectively promote the military ethic of “service before self.” After some due diligence on the Medal of Honor and the US Military, the following items struck Clark:
  • The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is regarded as the most prestigious organization in the United States because its members are solely comprised of recipients of our nation’s highest award for valor in combat – The Medal of Honor.
  • As the Commander In Chief, everyone in the military including four star Generals have to initiative a salute to the President when they encounter him – with the exception of Medal of Honor recipients. By custom, the President has to initiate a salute when he encounters them.
  • The highest award that could be given to a civilian in the United States, was the Presidential Medal of Freedom. However, the President could give this award to anyone of his/her choosing. 
  • In 1861 Abraham Lincoln stated; “Any Nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure,” and then created the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in combat.
After thinking about all the above, Clark believed he could create a national Cause Brand that would inspire and endure. With this goal, Clark creates the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors to recognize civilian heroism. What gave this new award it’s gravitas, was that nominations came from the public, and that the jury that selected the Civilian Honors each year would be solely comprised of Medal of Honor recipients. 

THE LAUNCH

In order to announce the Above & Beyond Cause Brand with the maximum amount of publicity possible in 2008, Clark confirms four-star General Colin Powell to announce the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in the very shadow of the 16th President who created the Medal of Honor. At the press conference, covered by NBC News and The Today Show, General Powell explained the initiative to the American public and called on all citizens to nominate those who have gone “Above & Beyond” for their fellow citizens.

THE LAUNCH

In order to announce the Above & Beyond Cause Brand with the maximum amount of publicity possible in 2008, Clark confirms four-star General Colin Powell to announce the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in the very shadow of the 16th President who created the Medal of Honor. At the press conference, covered by NBC News and The Today Show, General Powell explained the initiative to the American public and called on all citizens to nominate those who have gone “Above & Beyond” for their fellow citizens.

THE LAUNCH

In order to announce the Above & Beyond Cause Brand with the maximum amount of publicity possible in 2008, Clark confirms four-star General Colin Powell to announce the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in the very shadow of the 16th President who created the Medal of Honor. At the press conference, covered by NBC News and The Today Show, General Powell explained the initiative to the American public and called on all citizens to nominate those who have gone “Above & Beyond” for their fellow citizens.

THE MEDAL

In an effort to promote anonymous heroism, salute those who have gone “Above & Beyond” for others, and highlight the special relationship between civilians and the military in the US, Clark selects the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery as his inspiration for creating the “Above & Beyond” medal itself. On the east side of the Tomb is a low relief sculpture that depicts three Greek figures (two civilians, one military) which represent Peace, Victory & Valor. In order to create a lasting link with this iconic American symbol which rests on hallowed ground, Clark worked with renowned artist Elliott Arkin to reproduce the figures of Peace, Victory & Valor on the medals themselves.

THE MEDAL

In an effort to promote anonymous heroism, salute those who have gone “Above & Beyond” for others, and highlight the special relationship between civilians and the military in the US, Clark selects the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery as his inspiration for creating the “Above & Beyond” medal itself. On the east side of the Tomb is a low relief sculpture that depicts three Greek figures (two civilians, one military) which represent Peace, Victory & Valor. In order to create a lasting link with this iconic American symbol which rests on hallowed ground, Clark worked with renowned artist Elliott Arkin to reproduce the figures of Peace, Victory & Valor on the medals themselves.

THE MEDAL

In an effort to promote anonymous heroism, salute those who have gone “Above & Beyond” for others, and highlight the special relationship between civilians and the military in the US, Clark selects the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery as his inspiration for creating the “Above & Beyond” medal itself. On the east side of the Tomb is a low relief sculpture that depicts three Greek figures (two civilians, one military) which represent Peace, Victory & Valor. In order to create a lasting link with this iconic American symbol which rests on hallowed ground, Clark worked with renowned artist Elliott Arkin to reproduce the figures of Peace, Victory & Valor on the medals themselves.

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