BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Nov. 10, 2025) — As the birthplace of the nation’s first and longest-running Veterans Day celebration, Birmingham is looking to the future while honoring its past, unveiling a new logo for the 2027 Congressional Medal of Honor Society (CMOHS) Convention. The Convention, scheduled for September 13-18, 2027, will bring America’s highest military heroes to the Magic City for a series of community events, youth programs, leadership forums and educational outreach.
“Hosting the Medal of Honor Society Convention is more than an honor. It’s a defining moment for Birmingham,” said Lt. Gen. (Ret.) A.C. Roper, chair of the Birmingham Medal of Honor Host Committee. “Our city gave birth to Veterans Day, and now we have the opportunity to once again show the nation what service, sacrifice and courage look like through this historic event.”
The Convention offers a unique opportunity to celebrate America’s most decorated military heroes while showcasing the history, hospitality and civic pride of Birmingham. To celebrate the significance of the event, the new logo will be on display in materials and signage throughout the 2025 Veterans Day parade.
“Birmingham has always been a place that honors our heroes,” said Mayor Randall Woodfin. “From the first Veterans Day Parade in 1947 to welcoming Medal of Honor recipients in 2027, our city continues to celebrate those who serve. This parade sets the stage for the convention and reminds us of the courage and commitment that define our community.”
The Convention logo, designed by local artist Shawn Wright, was inspired by Birmingham’s heritage and the values of the Medal of Honor. It prominently features Vulcan, the city’s iconic symbol of strength and craftsmanship, surrounded by thirteen stars drawn from the Medal’s sash. The color palette, light blue and gold with dark blue accents, reflects the Medal itself, reinforcing the themes of valor, integrity and unity.
“Vulcan was the natural emblem for Birmingham,” Wright said. “His upward gaze and raised spear represent vigilance and pride, qualities that align beautifully with the Medal of Honor’s meaning. My goal was to create a design that feels both modern and respectful, worthy of the recipients and of our city.”
Cynthia Cardona, president and CEO of Vulcan Park & Museum, echoed Wright’s sentiment. “Vulcan reflects Birmingham’s history of ingenuity, strength, and perseverance. The Congressional Medal of Honor represents courage at the highest level of service,” said Cardona. “We are proud that Vulcan is featured in the official emblem for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention, connecting our city’s story to a national legacy of excellence and character.”
Birmingham was selected to host the 2027 CMOHS Convention due to its long-standing commitment to honoring veterans and civic leadership. The event will include public ceremonies, educational programs in schools, and opportunities for residents to meet living examples of courage and character.
“Birmingham has long demonstrated what it means to honor service not just in words, but through enduring traditions and community spirit,” said Chad Graham, Executive Director of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to work alongside local partners to foster meaningful dialogue, engage with future generations, and celebrate the values that unite us as Americans. This Convention is as much about listening and learning as it is about honoring, and Birmingham provides an ideal backdrop for that exchange.”
Birmingham will join the ranks of other premier Southeastern tourism destinations, including San Antonio, New Orleans and Knoxville, who have had the privilege of hosting the Convention in recent years.
“This is an incredibly meaningful moment for the Greater Birmingham Region,” said Dan Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The new logo connects our history as the home of America’s first Veterans Day celebration while highlighting one of our most iconic visitor landmarks at Vulcan. We look forward to hosting such a prestigious event that will attract visitors from across the country and further solidify our reputation as a top destination for national conventions.”
Residents and visitors can learn more about the 2027 Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention and follow updates as Birmingham prepares for this historic gathering by visiting the Congressional Medal of Honor Birmingham 2027 website.
###
About the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) is the official tourism and marketing organization for Birmingham and Jefferson County. Established in 1969, the non-profit agency generates positive economic impact by positioning the Greater Birmingham Region as a premier destination for conventions, sporting events, and domestic and international leisure travel. Birmingham and its neighboring municipalities welcome more than 4.04 million visitors each year, generating $2.57 billion in economic impact. Learn more at inbirmingham.com.
About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, chartered by Congress in 1958 and composed exclusively of living Recipients of the Medal of Honor – the nation’s highest award for military valor in combat. Since the Medal’s founding by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, only 3,528 individuals have received it, and today, just 61 living Recipients remain. The Society is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Medal of Honor and supporting those who wear it. Through nationwide outreach, the Recipients engage with schools, communities, veterans, and active-duty service members to inspire future generations to live with courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, patriotism, and citizenship – the values embodied by the Medal. To fulfill this mission, the Society offers robust programs in education, public outreach, and historical preservation, including the Medal of Honor Character Development Program, the Citizen Honors Awards, and the Medal of Honor Museum, located aboard the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The Society’s work is made possible through the generosity of individuals, corporations, and mission partners, and is carried out in partnership with the Medal of Honor Foundation. Learn more at www.cmohs.org.
