American Legion Inaugural Ball Salutes Medal of Honor Recipients

Legion Continues Tradition of Honoring Our Nation’s Heroes

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Preparations are well underway for The American Legion-hosted Salute to Heroes Inaugural Banquet and Ball. The gala event is sponsored by a consortium of prominent veterans’ service organizations, led by The American Legion, and has been staged to celebrate each presidential inauguration since President Eisenhower’s in 1953.

The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Banquet and Ball pays tribute to the heroism and sacrifice of America’s most lauded military service members, recipients of the Medal of Honor. Of the 3,459 soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen graced with the Medal of Honor in American history, only 81 are alive today. The majority of them will be attending this year’s gala.

Traditionally, the ball is also visited by the President and First Lady, the Vice President, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, members of Congress, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and other distinguished military and government officials.

The American Legion’s National Commander James E. Koutz will deliver remarks at the event. Celebrities and distinguished guests will also be on hand to pay homage to the Medal of Honor recipients and congratulate the president as he assumes his second-term duties.

The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Banquet and Ball is to be held on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 at the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel, 999 Ninth Street, NW. Combined banquet and ball tickets are priced at $250 each. Ball-only admission is $125 per person. To purchase tickets, please contact Wanda Tallakson at 202-861-2700.