Great Brewers Cycling

For the background on this story, see this post & Jeff’s personal account.

Local coverage on WFAA news & Star-Telegram.

See all of the finalists at the Congressional Medal of Honor Website.

The Citizen Service Before Self Honors are unique, because they are presented to unsung heroes by our nation’s most honored heroes—fewer than 100 living Medal of Honor recipients who comprise the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

The finalists’ actions epitomize the concept of “service above self” and have been performed “above and beyond” their professional area of responsibility or conduct.

HEROIC ACT: Jeff Harrison of Fort Worth, Texas, has been recognized for valiantly rescuing a woman and her daughter from the rapids of the Trinity River on July 5, 2010. While riding his bike through Trinity Park, Harrison heard a commotion along the banks of the river and quickly became aware that a woman and a young girl were stranded and in danger of drowning in the strong current. Immediately, Harrison dismounted his bike and entered the river in an attempt to assist the woman and girl. He also noticed a third victim, an adult male downstream, who was trying to swim against the current and back toward his family. After reaching the woman and girl and pulling them both to safety on the river bank, he performed CPR on the woman to help her start breathing again. Although the woman’s husband passed away during the tragedy, Harrison’s involvement no doubt saved two lives that day. Jeff Harrison’s act of extraordinary heroism and bravery.

A panel, including Medal of Honor recipient representation, considered all nominations and selected national finalists. From among the 20 finalists, a second panel of Medal of Honor recipients will select three individuals to receive Citizen Service Before Self Honors. The recipients will be announced on Monday, March 22, 2011, and honored at a ceremony on Friday, March 25, 2011, at 2:15 p.m. EDT, in conjunction with National Medal of Honor Day. The ceremony will be held in the shadow of the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, Va.