Detroit, the Arsenal of Democracy, invites all living Medal of Honor Recipients to Detroit Event

The City of Detroit has the distinct honor of hosting the 2026 Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention. The Detroit Public Safety Foundation will serve as the official non-profit partner, bringing this weeklong event to our great city. A Host Committee is being established to lead fundraising efforts and plan the events and activities surrounding the 2026 Medal of Honor Celebration. 

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The annual celebration brings the largest gathering of our nation’s 61 living Medal of Honor recipients together for a series of public and private events, concluding with the black-tie, highly anticipated Patriots Award Gala on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Huntington Place. 

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The convention is one of our country’s most prestigious and patriotic events. Recipients and their families will come together to share and promote the values of the Medal of Honor: courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, patriotism, and citizenship. Through various events, their heroic stories will be shared with local students, veterans, active military members, and the Metro Detroit community. 

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Detroit’s Mayor Mike Duggan said, “We are honored to have these distinguished guests in our city for the convention in 2026. Whenever America has called, we have dedicated significant resources to building the tools necessary to protect our country. By selecting Detroit as the 2026 Host City, we can once again serve, and we are thankful for the opportunity.”

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“Our Recipients are deeply honored to bring the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention to Detroit in 2026, and we look forward to connecting directly with the community in meaningful ways,” said Britt Slabinski, Medal of Honor Recipient and President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. “During our time there, we’re eager to engage with students, spend time with veterans and civil servants, and reach out across Detroit to instill the values of the Medal—commitment, integrity, courage, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism. We hope that through sharing our stories and time, we can inspire and uplift the people of this great city, leaving a lasting impact that reflects the ideals we share as Americans.” 

The Medal of Honor, awarded by the President, is the nation’s highest recognition for military valor in action. Since its inception in 1861 by President Abraham Lincoln, only 3,526 service members have received the Medal of Honor, with 61 living recipients today. One living recipient resides in Michigan, U.S. Army Private First-Class James C. McCloughan.