FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Amber Zuckerman
214-929-8105
azuckerman@mohmuseum.org
The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation is Partnering with Janine Stange for the Fifth Annual “Medal of Honor Mail Call” Celebrating National Medal of Honor Day on March 25
Americans from all walks of life invited to send Medal of Honor recipients personal letters thanking them for their service and sacrifice
ARLINGTON, TX – (February 1, 2021) – The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation (NMOHMF) is joining forces with Janine Stange to host the fifth annual Medal of Honor Mail Call, inviting Americans to learn about the heroics of our nation’s Medal of Honor recipients and send them personalized letters thanking them for their service and sacrifice.
Medal of Honor Mail Call harkens back to the days before email, FaceTime and texting, when hearing a sergeant yell “Mail Call” meant soldiers were about to receive a letter from home. Back then, Mail Calls were one of the only opportunities for soldiers on the battlefield to hear from their loved ones, giving them a moment of joy in an otherwise tumultuous time.
Stange launched the effort in 2017 as a way for students, businesses, groups and individuals to learn about – and personally thank – our nation’s heroes. Since the medal’s inception in 1863, fewer than 4,000 brave Americans have received the nation’s highest award for valor in combat. Of those, only 69 recipients are alive today. Through the program, Stange and NMOHMF will collect letters, postcards, drawings, and paintings from grateful Americans all across the country that will be mailed directly to those 69 living recipients.
“In this day and age when many Americans do not know a single active duty or retired service member, the Medal of Honor Mail Call provides a simple way for everyday Americans to learn from and connect with those who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Stange, a motivational speaker and singer who was the first person to perform the National Anthem in all 50 states.
The first Medal of Honor was awarded to Jacob Parrott on March 25, 1863. In 1990, Congress passed a resolution establishing March 25 as National Medal of Honor Day, a nationwide holiday honoring the Medal and its recipients.
Over the life of Medal of Honor Mail Call, thousands of thoughtful pieces have been collected, bundled, packaged and sent to Medal of Honor recipients. In 2019, more than 12,000 letters were collected over just three weeks from individuals who responded to the call – including one from a young student who wrote: “I know you say you don’t consider yourself a hero, but you found yourself in a situation where you had a choice to act selfishly or selflessly, and you chose the latter. I want you to know that I want to be the same way.”
Details about the program – including how to select a Medal of Honor recipient, where to send letters, and the deadlines for submissions – may be found on Stange’s website, www.janinestange.com/moh.
“The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation is excited to partner with Janine on this memorable project. In addition to honoring the most heroic among us, one of the main goals of the Museum is to reinforce the patriotic bonds that bring us together. The Medal of Honor Mail Call is a tangible way to bring civilians and service members together to celebrate the values that unite us,” said NMOHMF CEO James T. Connors.
“The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation is excited to partner with Janine on this memorable project. In addition to honoring the most heroic among us, one of the main goals of the Museum is to reinforce the patriotic bonds that bring us together. The Medal of Honor Mail Call is a tangible way to bring civilians and service members together to celebrate the values that unite us,” said James Connors, President and CEO of the NMOHMF.
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About the Museum: The National Medal of Honor Museum will provide an unrivaled visitor experience with state-of-the-art permanent, interactive experiences and rotating exhibitions. Serving as a national landmark – and located in America’s heartland, Arlington, TX – the Museum will illustrate the historical thread of sacrifice, patriotism and courage that runs through all U.S. military service members, past and present. The National Medal of Honor Museum will also include a Leadership Institute and Education Center aimed at character development for Americans of all ages. A critical part of the museum’s mission will be to use the stories of Medal of Honor recipients to inspire people and motivate them to be their best selves.
A National Medal of Honor Monument in Washington, D.C., will commemorate the service and sacrifice of the bravest and most decorated members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The monument give all Americans the opportunity to reflect on the courage and patriotism that safeguard freedom and democracy.
For more information please visit the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation website or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Janine Stange: Janine Stange is a motivational speaker, singer, and on-air personality. She is best known for her historic journey to sing the Star-Spangled Banner in all 50 states – a mission she embarked on to honor our brave. Her story is the subject of “National Anthem Girl” a documentary by Kelly’s Filmworks now streaming on Amazon Prime. Janine can be heard every Thursday morning on Sirius XM’s 60’s on 6 with Phlash Phelps.
For more information on Janine, please visit: www.janinstange.com and follow on social: Twitter: @TheAnthemGirl, Facebook: NationalAnthemGirl, Instagram: JanineStange.