You’ve probably visited the Medal of Honor Memorial at the Military Cemetery in Riverside, CA. One of the most moving places I have been.....
I've only had the opportunity to actually meet one Medal of Honor recipient, Wilburn Ross. He got the Medal of Honor while serving with the 3rd Infantry Division in France during WW2. Nine years later, he served with my grandfather in the 2nd Battalion, 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment. A few years ago, they had a reunion for the 2nd of the 14th ACR just before that reactivated unit deployed to Iraq for the first time. My grandfather was the oldest surviving former commanding officer, so he was the guest of honor at the dinner, but Sgt. Ross was also at the center of attention.
Have you been to the D-Day Museum in NOLA? I went in Spring 2005 and it is an amazing place. Full of old vets and their spouses, it covers not just D-Day but WWII in all theaters. Very moving to watch the vet’s faces and eyes, trying to visualize them 60- years prior.