Three Medals of Honor recipients attended a fundraising luncheon/live auction/clay shoot event at Cedar Gate in Kingfisher benefiting the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.
The Medal of Honor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to support and advance the mission of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Its core purpose is to honor and preserve the legacy of Medal of Honor Recipients by inspiring future generations through the timeless values represented by the Medal: Commitment, Integrity, Courage, Sacrifice, Citizenship, and Patriotism.
The Foundation designs programs that share the extraordinary stories of Medal of Honor Recipients, promote values education, and support the needs of the Recipients and their families.
The 3 Medal of Honor recipients who attended were: • Britt Kelly Slabinski, Senior Chief, US Navy, War on Terrorism, Afghanistan • Earl D. Plumlee, Staff Sergeant, US Army, War on Terrorism, Afghanistan • William D. Swenson, Captain, US Army, War on Terrorism, Afghanistan
The event aims to carry on a tradition established by President Abraham Lincoln in 186. In 163 years, over 40 million Americans have served in the Armed Forces, yet only 3,526 have received this distinguishment. The event is geared toward increasing awareness and honoring soldiers in the Oklahoma City area.
In addition to the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, the Oklahoma group invited local heroes to take part in the lunch time program.
“It’s an honor to have these hero’s share their stories. It’s such an inspiring experience to meet these heroes and understand what they went though so that we have the liberties we have today,” said John Ungerecht, a supporter of the group. “We had 28 teams in attendance, and many lunch only patrons. The 3 MOH recipients availed themselves to all, taking pictures and visiting with folks. Great, very humble guys! Everyone had such a great time!”
Chartered by Congress in 1958, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s membership is comprised of those who wear the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award for valor. As individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, the Medal of Honor Recipients are committed to serving our country in peace as they did in war by championing the values of courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, patriotism, and citizenship.
The nonprofit Society preserves their stories and shares their values through Outreach and Education initiatives and its Medal of Honor Museum.
Ungerecht said that the event has already been deemed a huge success due to the corporate interest and sponsorship.
“Putting on an event like this relies heavily on individual and group participation. It becomes an incredible story when local businesses step in and lend their financial support. We couldn’t do what we do without them,” he said.
Allen Strider, a U.S. Army Combat Engineer, and organizer of the event, said John Nash, Secretary of Military and Veteran Affairs for Oklahoma, served as the keynote speaker.
“He did a really great job,” Strider said.
Strider said the auction included having each Medal of Honor recipient be part of a team for clay shooting.
“To raise more money, we auctioned off each one of them to shoot on somebody’s team,” he said. “Whoever paid the most money for one of the recipients got that recipient to shoot on their team with them.”
Strider said all proceeds benefit the Medal of Honor Foundation.
“Every bit of it. We don’t charge a dime for this. I never have charged for this, and I never will. This is what I do for those guys. They deserve it,” he said. “I’m a Veteran too from the Vietnam era. When you talk about the Medal of Honor people, the Silver Star, the Bronze Stars, the Purple Hearts, that rings home with me.”
Strider said he wants to make the fundraiser an annual event.
“Absolutely. I want to make it as big as I can get it,” he said. “I want to do 120 teams, but we need sponsors, we need some companies to stand up and recognize what we do and be one of our sponsors. I don’t care what industry you’re in, your support means a lot to us, and we could use it.”
Strider said they have three different company sponsor levels.
“We have three different sponsor levels. We have the Medal of Honor sponsor, we have the Silver Star sponsor, and we have the Bronze Star sponsor. And we have signs made up for that,” he said. “We always make sure we recognize these people because it’s appreciated. They have no idea the impact they have made. It makes a significant impact.”
For more information about sponsorship opportunities call Strider at (405) 465-3354 or email at rstrider2@outlook.com. •
By Van Mitchell, staff writer
