Dec. 11, 2006
Unique Medal of Honor photo exhibit “Visions of Valor” opens Dec. 11 in Topeka
“Visions of Valor,” the nation’s first traveling photographic exhibit honoring recipients of the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest honor for valor under fire, opens Dec. 11 at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka. The portraits will be on display in the north wing of the second floor through Dec. 27. Admission is free and the display will be open to the public from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday during its stay. Featured in the exhibit of dramatic black and white portraits are 26 Medal of Honor recipients.
Medal of Honor recipient Fred Ferguson is scheduled to attend an opening ceremony emceed by Kansas Lt. Gov. John E. Moore, at 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 11, at the Kansas Statehouse, 300 S.W. Street, Topeka, Kan.
“I can’t think of a better way to commemorate the accomplishments of our military heroes during this holiday season than to view this exhibit,” said TriWest President and CEO David McIntyre Jr. “Here you can learn about extraordinary men whose bravery, dedication and selflessness led them to our nation’s highest honor.”
This “Visions of Valor” exhibit is presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) and TriWest Healthcare Alliance, which administers the military’s health care plan, TRICARE, in Kansas and 20 other western states. BCBSKS is one of 16 Blue Plans and two hospital systems that own TriWest. BCBSKS works with TriWest to create provider networks in its service area for TRICARE members to access.
“We are proud to join our health care partner, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, in bringing this remarkable display of honor and patriotism to our state,” said Michael M. Mattox, BCBSKS president/CEO. “The freedoms that we Americans enjoy today have been safeguarded by the Medal of Honor recipients featured in this exhibit, and they deserve our respect and admiration for their courage and action.”
Recipient Fred Ferguson was awarded the Medal of Honor for action on Jan. 31, 1968 in Hue, Republic of Vietnam. Ferguson was a Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army, Company C, 227th Aviation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).
“Visions of Valor” is the first and largest exhibit of its kind in the nation’s history to honor the courage, commitment and character of Medal of Honor recipients, whose numbers are declining. Only 111 recipients are still living today. The Medal of Honor has been awarded to less than 3,500 recipients.
A duplicate “Visions of Valor” exhibit is on permanent display at the Pentagon’s new Hall of Heroes. The exhibit is intended to educate the public about the Congressional Medal of Honor and to perpetuate the patriotism, courage and honor of its recipients.
Visit www.cmohs.org to read the recipients’ citations.
TriWest Healthcare Alliance is a Phoenix-based corporation that partners with the Department of Defense to provide access to cost-effective, high-quality health care for 2.8 million members of America’s military family in the 21-state TRICARE West Region, which is comprised of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and western Texas. For more information, visit www.triwest.com.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSKS is the state's largest health insurer, serving all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is one of 16 Blue Plans and two hospital systems that own TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
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