WASHINGTON, March 25, 2009 – The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation today announced and nationally honored the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors recipients for 2009. After a nationwide search and selection process, three Americans have been selected for their selflessness and indomitable courage. The three unsung heroes are:

Rick Rescorla of New Jersey, posthumously, for going above and beyond on September 11, 2001 by courageously rescuing his fellow citizens by ordering the evacuation of all 2,700 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. employees from the building and leading them to safety, and following, by re-entering the building to search for survivors.

David Bryan of Kansas City, Missouri, for going above and beyond by valiantly rescuing a motorist from a burning automobile on Eastbound I-70, one mile from the city of Higginsville, Missouri.

Jeremy Hernandez of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a part-time youth worker, for above and beyond by saving the lives of 50 children as the school bus they were on was about to plunge into the Mississippi River following the I-35W Bridge Collapse.

The 2009 Above & Beyond Citizen Honors recipients were recognized by our nation’s most honored heroes, the fewer than 100 living Medal of Honor recipients, in the shadow of the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. The Tomb of the Unknowns represents the epitome of courage, sacrifice and selflessness in service to our nation.

The Above & Beyond Citizen Honors ceremony was held on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at 2 p.m. EDT. The primary sponsor of the 2008 Above & Beyond initiative is TriWest Healthcare Alliance, with additional support provided by the Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Lt. Gen. James B. Peake (Ret.), M.D., Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Robert Howard, the President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society; and, David J. McIntyre, Jr., Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation board member and TriWest Healthcare Alliance President and CEO made formal remarks. More than thirty-five Medal of Honor recipients were in attendance.

“I, along with all of the living Medal of Honor recipients, salute Rick Rescorla, David Bryan, and Jeremy Hernandez for their selfless acts,” said Bruce Whitman, Co-Chairman of the Board of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. “As true heroes among us, these three remarkable recipients epitomize the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors concept of ’service above self’ by representing the values of courage, sacrifice and selfless service. Their actions are an inspiration to Americans everywhere.”

After considering all nominations, a panel of judges consisting exclusively of Medal of Honor recipients, selected one finalist from every state, plus the District of Columbia. From among these 51 finalists, the panel then selected three individuals to receive one of the highest civilian honors, Above & Beyond Citizen Honors. A complete list of the 51 finalists is available on the Above & Beyond website, www.aboveandbeyond365.com.

“The Above and Beyond Citizens Honors recipients are evidence that the ideals demonstrated on the battlefield by those who received the nation’s highest distinction, the Medal of Honor, are as applicable to civilian life as they are to military life” said David J. McIntyre, Jr., Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation board member and TriWest Healthcare Alliance President and CEO.

“It just doesn’t get any better than this, our nation’s quintessential heroes lifting up civilians who have also demonstrated exemplary selflessness, courage, love of country and service to their fellow man. Just imagine where our country would be were we all to live by such values,” added McIntyre.

About the Medal of Honor

Created by Abraham Lincoln in 1861, the Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force, which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the United States Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. To receive this rare honor, it must first be approved by the President of the United States and is then presented by the President in the name of the Congress on behalf of a grateful nation. Since the birth of our nation, over 40 million Americans have faced combat, yet fewer than 3,500 have received our nation’s highest honor for combat – the Medal of Honor.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is chartered by Congress, and regarded as the most exclusive organization in our country, as its membership is solely made up of living Medal of Honor recipients. Today there are less than 100 members, who come from all social classes, race and economic levels. They range in age from 58 to 99, and live in all areas of our Country. No amount of money, power or influence can buy one’s rite of passage to this exclusive circle, and unlike almost any other organization, this group’s members hope that there will be no more inductees. For more information, visit www.cmohs.org.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation

The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to perpetuate the Medal of Honor’s legacy of courage, sacrifice and patriotism. The Foundation supports the objectives, activities and programs of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and raises funds for initiatives such as Above & Beyond Citizen Honors, that promote awareness of what the Medal of Honor represents. For more information, visit www.cmohfoundation.org.

Jencie Fagan of Nevada, a school teacher, who went above and beyond with her brave stand against a school shooter who had already wounded two students. She courageously put herself in harm’s way by standing in front of the armed student, protecting others, as she calmly talked the boy into putting down his weapon.

Matthew Miller of Fridley Minnesota, a student and construction worker, went above and beyond for others as he saved the lives of ten people and helped scores of injured in the 35W Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis.

Don Schoendorfer of Orange County California, an engineer, for going above and beyond as an advocate for the disabled, as he created, manufactured and distributed over 250,000 wheelchairs to those in need.

Hosted by Brian Williams, with Honorary Co-Chair General Colin L. Powell (USA) Ret., the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors presentation ceremony will take place on National Medal of Honor Day – March 25, 2008.

The site selected by the Society for this historic ceremony is the ultimate symbol of anonymous heroism – the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. All of the anonymous soldiers who have found eternal rest in the Tomb, have been presented with our nation’s highest award for valor in combat, The Medal of Honor. On the east side of the Tomb is a sculpture of three Greek citizens, each representing the virtues of Peace, Victory and Valor. So the world will always know that the most revered military heroes in the United States have the distinct honor of presenting America’s most prestigious civilian awards, the image of these figures from the Tomb, have been placed on the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors medals themselves.

The selection of the Citizen Service before Self Honorees and their remarkable stories of hope and courage will be broadcast to the nation on the NBC Today Show on March 26, 2008.

“I, along with all of the living Medal of Honor recipients salute Jencie Fagan, Matthew Miller and Don Schoendorfer,” said Robert Howard, the President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. “As Americans, we must realize that the acts of individual citizens can have a tremendous impact on our nation. It is my sincere hope that the selfless acts of these three remarkable citizens, and indeed all of our State Finalist as well, will inspire our fellow citizens towards public service. This unique award honors the true heroes among us.”

Honorary Co-Chairs of Above & Beyond Citizen Honors include former Presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, and General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.). David McIntyre, President and CEO of TriWest Healthcare Alliance serves as Event Chairman.

The primary sponsor of the 2008 Above & Beyond initiative is TriWest Healthcare Alliance, with additional support provided by the Lockheed Martin Corporation.

The Society, recently launched Above & Beyond Citizen Honors, their non-partisan “Service before Self” initiative and annual broadcast, which will identify and honor those ordinary Americans who have become extraordinary through their selflessness. “We are pleased and proud that President Bill Clinton has joined with President George H.W. Bush and General Colin Powell as an Honorary Chair of our Above & Beyond initiative,” said Paul Bucha, a Medal of Honor recipient and Above & Beyond designate from the Society. “This sends a clear message that regardless of one’s political persuasions, Americans will unite and work together to celebrate unsung heroes in uniform or out, who go above and beyond for others.”

With just two months left before the December 16 nominating deadline, Presidents Clinton, Bush, and General Powell are urging all Americans to nominate their fellow citizens for the nation’s most prestigious civilian award for service. Anyone can nominate a fellow citizen—now through December 16 at www.aboveandbeyond365.com.

The Above & Beyond awards will be presented annually to three American civilians at a gala awards ceremony at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC and broadcast on national television on Medal of Honor Day.

After a nationwide search and selection process for the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors, the Society will select 50 Finalists to represent their respective states. From these remarkable Americans, the Society will announce three Above & Beyond Citizen Honors recipients at the Medal of Honor Day ceremony in March, 2008, and their remarkable stories of hope and courage will be broadcast to the nation and to the men and women in uniform serving around the world.

About the Medal of Honor

Created by Abraham Lincoln in 1861, the Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force, which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the United States Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. To receive this rare honor, the President of the United States must approve it after a long and rigorous consideration process, and then presents it personally to the recipient in the name of Congress. -Since the birth of our nation, over 40 million Americans have faced combat, yet fewer than 3,500 have received our nation’s highest honor for combat – the Medal of Honor.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Congressional Medal Of Honor Society is chartered by Congress, and regarded as the most exclusive organization in our country, as its membership is solely made up of living Medal of Honor recipients. Today there are fewer than 100 members, who come from all social classes, race and economic levels. They range in age from 57 to 97, and live in all areas of our country. No amount of money, power or influence can buy one’s rite of passage to this exclusive circle, and unlike almost any other organization, this group’s members hope that there will be no more inductees. Beyond this attitude towards recruitment, about also share a passionate love for the United States of America and have the distinct honor of wearing our nation’s highest award for military valor, The Medal of Honor. For more information, visit www.cmohs.org.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation

The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to perpetuate the Medal of Honor’s legacy of courage, sacrifice and patriotism. The Foundation supports the objectives, activities and programs of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and raises funds for initiatives such as Above & Beyond, that promote what the Medal of Honor represents. For more information, visit www.cmohfoundation.org.