Easley invites nominations for nation's highest civilian honor

RALEIGH -- Gov. Mike Easley is asking North Carolinians to submit nominations for “Above & Beyond Citizen Honors,” a national award to recognize extraordinary actions by regular citizens on behalf of others. The nationwide search and selection process is being coordinated by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, which is made up of the 109 living Medal of Honor recipients.

“For the first time ever, those who have won the nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor, will recognize civilians who have shown they also value service over self,” Easley said. “There are many North Carolinians who have demonstrated the kind of integrity, sacrifice and courage that this award will recognize.”

To be considered for this rare civilian honor, nominees must have made a difference in the lives of others through a singular act of extraordinary courage or in a series of extraordinary acts that demonstrate a willingness to sacrifice for others. In all cases, the actions being honored must epitomize the concept of “service before self” and must be performed “above and beyond” one's professional or vocational area of responsibility or conduct. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 16.

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society will select 50 finalists to represent their states at the Medal of Honor Day ceremony March 25. From these 50 Americans, the Society will announce three Above & Beyond Citizen Honors recipients.

The honorary chairs of the award ceremony are former presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, and former secretary of state Gen. Colin L. Powell, U.S. Army (Ret.). NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams will serve as host, and featured guests include country music star Toby Keith, Joe Perry of Aerosmith, and actors Harvey Keitel and Gary Sinise. The Above & Beyond ceremony will be taped for national broadcast on March 30 on MSNBC and internationally on the American Forces Network, where it can be seen by all armed service members and their families stationed overseas including every ship in the Navy.

Applications can be submitted and more information is available at the Above & Beyond Web site: www.aboveandbeyond365.com.