United Through Reading named recipient of Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s inaugural Community Service Hero Award

February 17, 2016

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announced its 2016 Citizen Honors Award winners. United Through Reading (UTR) is the first to receive the ‘Community Service Hero Award,’ which recognizes a community-based organization for its exceptional impact or mission in supporting our nation’s service member community. United Through Reading will be recognized in a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on National Medal of Honor Day, Friday, March 25, 2016.

United Through Reading was selected as the 2016 ‘Community Service Hero Award’ recipient for our innovative and grassroots response to a critical need in the armed forces community for over 25 years and our exceptional international impact on military families.

“We created the Citizen Honors Awards to recognize and celebrate the exceptional deeds of America’s citizen heroes,” said Thomas G. Kelley, Medal of Honor Recipient and president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. “Chris, James, Eileen, Myles and the people behind United Through Reading are great examples of the citizen heroes all around us. They are truly deserving of our recognition.”

The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation was founded in 1999 by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to perpetuate the legacy of the Medal. Through character development, scholarship and citizen recognition programs based on the values embodied in the Medal — courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism — the Foundation teaches all citizens that they can make a difference in the lives of others. The Foundation also supports the important work of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.