Wal-Mart CEOs Doug McMillon and Bill Simon are hosting a special gala this evening, May 15 at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville. The event honors 14 Medal of Honor recipients who are visiting the area this week. The gala is also a fundraising effort for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Foundation.
President George W. Bush will be in attendance and receive the Society's highest award—the Patriot Award. The gala is being emceed by Governor Mike Huckabee, according Wal-Mart corporate spokesman David Tovar.
With President Obama presenting the Medal of Honor this week to Army Sergeant Kyle White for his actions in combat in Afghanistan, the Society now consists of the 78 living recipients of the Medal of Honor.
The signature effort of the Medal of Honor Foundation is a character-building program designed to educate youth on courage, commitment, sacrifice, patriotism, integrity and citizenship.
“As a company, we are passionate about supporting veterans and celebrating our country’s heroes. What a phenomenal opportunity to honor those that sacrificed so much so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today,” Tovar noted in an e-mail.