Rep. Larry Kissell and the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation are teaming up in an effort to recognize ordinary citizens for their extraordinary contributions to society.

Kissell and the Foundation have announced that they are now accepting nominations for the "Above & Beyond Citizen Honors", an award intended to recognize Americans who have risen above their circumstances thanks to "their indomitable courage and selflessness."

Citizen Honors, which recognize typically unsung heroes, are presented by the country's most honored heroes -- the fewer than 100 living Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.

Above & Beyond Citizen Honors recipients represent the values of courage, sacrifice and selfless service, read the release.

Kissell and the Medal of Honor Society are encouraging individuals to nominate "any United States civilian who has clearly demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice for others whether through a single act of extraordinary heroism at risk to one's life or through a prolonged series of selfless acts.

"The nominee's actions must epitomize the concept of 'service above self' and must be performed 'above and beyond' one's professional or vocational area of responsibility or conduct."

United States citizens may submit an eligible nominee by either completing the nomination form online via the Above & Beyond website at www.aboveandbeyond365.com, or by submitting the nomination form through the office of one of their Congressional representatives. The nomination period runs through Friday, Feb. 20.

A panel of judges, to include Medal of Honor recipients representation, will consider all nominations and select a finalist from every state, plus the District of Columbia. From among the state finalists, three individuals will be selected to receive Citizen Honors and will be announced on Monday, March 9 and honored at a ceremony on Weds., March 25 at 2 p.m., 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 Washington, D.C.

Profiles for each of the 51 finalists will be available on the Above & Beyond website and each finalist will receive an embossed Citizen Honors certificate signed by the President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Citizens are encouraged to fax, mail or hand-deliver nominations to any one of the following four of Kissell's offices:

Concord Office:

325 McGill Ave, Suite 500

Concord, NC 28025

Phone: 704-786-1612

Fax: 704-782-1004

Washington, D.C. Office:

512 Cannon HOB

Washington, D.C. 20515

Phone: 202-225-3715

Fax: 202-225-4036

Rockingham Office:

230 E. Franklin St.

Rockingham, NC 28379

Phone: 910-997-2070

Fax: 910-997-7987

Fayetteville Office:

6257 Raeford Rd.

Suite 2

Fayetteville, NC 28304

Phone: 910-920-2070

Fax: 910-920-2069