Great American Country’s parent company, Scripps Networks Interactive, hosted a special luncheon Sept. 10 to salute Medal of Honor recipients, and joined Comcast Communications in welcoming the heroes to Knoxville, Tenn., for the 2014 Medal of Honor Convention.
Along with the recipients and their families, SNI and Comcast employees who have served in the military took part in the event.
The Medal of Honor is the highest military award, bestowed upon individuals for extraordinary acts of valor, above and beyond the call of duty.
A panel of decorated veterans were asked about personal experiences, but often diverted the focus to advocate for everyone dedicated to military service. Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Kelley of the U.S. Navy told the crowd “We were and still are the envy of the world.” When it comes to safeguarding America’s cornerstone values to individual liberty and justice, he said, “We in the military are able to enforce that when necessary.”
1st Lt. Walter “Joe” Marm of the U.S. Navy said today’s soldiers are not prompted by a draft but step up, fully aware of the dangers. “We owe it to them to help when they come back, with services and jobs.”
Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Harold Fritz of the U.S. Army gave special recognition to his wife during the panel discussion. The couple plan to celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary while visiting Knoxville. “Spouses don’t get the attention they should,” he said.
Both host Ken Lowe, Chairman and CEO of Scripps Networks, and panel moderator, Tom Karinshak, Senior Vice President of the Customer Experience at Comcast and a veteran of the U.S. Army, expressed their ongoing commitment to employing and supporting military service members. Scripps Networks and Comcast actively participate in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s “Hiring Our Heroes” program.
(From Left) Ken Lowe, Tom Karinshak, 1st Lt. Walter “Joe” Marm, Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Kelley and Capt. Harold Fritz. Photo By: Dan Watson. Copyright ©2014, Scripps Networks Interactive, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Through video, television hosts from Scripps brands – HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country – paid tribute to the Medal of Honor recipients and other veterans in attendance. Lowe said shows that feature servicemen and women are “the most memorable and rewarding episodes we have ever had the pleasure to film.”
In Lowe’s closing remarks, he thanked the Medal of Honor recipients, their families and all of the veterans in attendance, saying, “This is something I’ll never personally forget.”
Join us in saluting the Medal of Honor recipients on Instagram and Twitter.
To all the men and women who step up to the plate, despite the cost to protect freedom in this Great American Country, we thank you.
