American heroes gather in Chicago

September 14, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Four recipients of the Medal of Honor rang the bell at the Chicago Board of Trade on Monday.

Dozens of people who've won the Medal of Honor are gathering in Chicago for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's annual convention.

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration presented for valor in combat. Only 3500 have been presented the award out of the 52 million Americans who serve the country.

Ninety-five of the recipients are alive today. Many of them are in town for the weeklong convention where they are honored and given a chance to pass along their stories to younger generations.

Two of the recipients' stories were featured in award-winning motion pictures.

"I'm the real Forrest Gump. I swam across the river and brought back three of my brothers," Sgt. Sammy L. Davis, U.S. Army, Ret. said. "It's so humbling, because there are so many men that earned the medal who did not receive it. For me to stand here, I wish the brothers that I served with were here with me."

"We were soldiers...Greg Kinnear played me in that movie. Mel Gibson played the general, and Greg Kinnear -- I was a lot better looking than Greg," said Major Bruce P. Crandall, U.S. Army, Ret.

About 50 or 60of the medal recipients are expected to be in Chicago throughout the week.

The honorees will be all over the city speaking to schools and civic groups. Then on Thursday these American heroes will enjoy America's past time. They will be saluted at Wrigley Field as the Cubs host the Milwaukee Brewers.

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