Congressional Medal of Honor Steps

10 Steps to a Successful Project

The Secretary of State asks that CMOH Projects participants:

  1. Research local CMOH Recipient(s);
  2. Identify any existing memorials or gravesite;
  3. Raise funds to purchase a basic memorial or design/build your own;
  4. Identify and arrange for a memorial site;
  5. Work to install memorial;
  6. Plan for memorial site maintenance;
  7. Take lots of photos;
  8. Promote/publicize the memorial dedication;
  9. Provide the Secretary of State the relevant materials to be published on the Secretary of State website; and,
  10. Plan Remembrance.

SUGGESTIONS & HINTS FOR COMPLETING THE PROJECT STEPS

  1. Research local CMOH Recipient(s)
    Suggestions: Explore the helpful links on this website. Also, check in with local historical societies, libraries, municipal offices, veterans groups.
  2. Identify any existing memorials or gravesite
    Suggestions: In addition to the resources suggested for research above, you may also wish to check cemetery custodian records for local cemeteries, as well as birth and death records maintained by the municipality or county.
  3. Raise funds to purchase a basic memorial or design/build your own
    Suggestions: Bake Sales, Sponsored Raffles (i.e. local gas or oil company), Bottle Drive, Car Wash, Concessions at ball games, Fundraising Dance.
  4. Identify and arrange for a memorial site
    Suggestions: Work with local historical society to determine a suitable location. Work with town/city council to get approval for placement in a public park or the town cemetery; or present a plan to a school principal/school board to place on school property.
  5. Work to install memorial
    Suggestions: Identify who will make arrangements for mounting a plaque to the monument of choice. Organize/carry out any appropriate decorative landscaping (or interior design) for the area surrounding the memorial.
  6. Plan for memorial site maintenance
    Suggestions: Develop a written site maintenance plan. The plan need not be complex and will vary depending on the memorial type and site location. Assign the individuals or groups responsible for ongoing maintenance (i.e. senior class, interested local civic group).
  7. Take lots of photos
    Suggestions: Document the project from beginning to end with lots of photos. Take photos of existing memorials or gravesite; prospective memorial sites, the group and individuals involved in the effort; related events such as testimony before the municipal or school committees. Project-related photos can be used to document your progress, and to present to town/school/administrative officials as necessary. Also, many of these photos will be great to share on our website.
  8. Promote/publicize the memorial dedication
    Suggestions: Gain recognition for your group, thank financial and in-kind contributors and let people know about your CMOH recipient by inviting local press to a dedication ceremony. Write a press release inviting the public to attend. Invite local veterans group to the event.
  9. Provide the Secretary of State with materials to be published on our website
    Suggestions: Each group will have different ideas, funding sources, designs, locations for their memorials. We would like to post items for other project teams to view and to provide a repository for Maine CMOH memorial information. Materials should include:
    • a brief bio/history of the recipient (no more than a few paragraphs)
    • directions to the memorial
    • photos of the memorial
    • any research, journals, or other project materials you think would be valuable to share
  10. Plan Remembrance
    Suggestions: You may wish to plan an annual remembrance ceremony for your recipient on Memorial and/or Veteran's day or another relevant date. Activities might include laying flowers or placing flags at the memorial and presenting your research to others in your community to share the story of the person you are honoring.