National Character, Leadership Symposium kicks off

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  The National Character and Leadership Symposium kicked off at the Air Force Academy Feb. 24, featuring a panel with three Medal of Honor recipients and other influential guests.

Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, the first living Medal of Honor recipient since the Vietnam War, kicked off the two-day symposium in the Arnold Hall Theater at 8 a.m. A Medal of Honor panel featuring Sergeant Giunta and retired Cols. George "Bud" Day and Leo Thorsness followed the keynote speech.

Speaking in smaller forums were Dr. Adis Vila, the Academy's chief diversity officer; Chad Hennings, a 1988 Academy graduate and former Dallas Cowboys football player; Sara Bordo, founder and CEO of Women Rising and a contributor to the White House Council for Women and Girls; and Dr. Pauletta Otis, professor of security studies for the U.S. Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College.

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