For just the third time in Valor Awards’ 24 year history, Loudoun Chamber will bestow its most prestigious honor - the Gold Medal of Valor

Lansdowne, VA -- On April 14th, history will be made when the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce bestows only the third Gold Medal of Valor in the 24 years of the Valor Awards.

More than 400 area business leaders will be on hand when to Lt. John Early, of the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Department, receives the Gold Medal of Valor in recognition of his sacrifice and heroism in the line of duty during a May 25, 2008 house fire in Leesburg.

Lt. Early is among the 44 honorees – including professional emergency responders, volunteers and ordinary citizens – whose heroism and lifesaving actions will be recognized at the 24th Annual Valor Awards on April 14th at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne.

“The 2009 Valor Awards promise to be the most compelling and historic ceremony in the 24-year history of this event, with the historic presentation of the most prestigious honor that an Loudoun County emergency first responder can receive,” said Chamber President Tony Howard.

FBI Assistant Director Joseph Persichini, Jr., head of the Bureau’s Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia operations, will be the keynote speaker at the Valor Awards. Alison Starling and Doug McKelway, of WJLA-TV’s Good Morning Washington, are the Masters of Ceremony.

In all, 18 members of the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Department will be recognized for their heroism in the same incident for which Lt. Early will be honored, including Captain Micha Kiger, who will receive the very prestigious Silver Medal of Valor. Among the other honorees from this incident are two Bronze medals of Valor recipients: FF/EMT Jackie Shingleton and FF/EMT Brandy Lapoloe.

In addition, Firefighter Lloyd “Billy” Coburn III, of the Purcellville Volunteer Fire Department will receive the Silver Medal of Valor for his heroic, lifesaving actions to scale a steep roof to save two victims of an accidental electrocution form further damages.

There are still tickets available for the 2009 Valor Awards. To purchase a table or seats to the 2009 Valor Awards, visit http://www.loudounchamber.org/html/ifevents.html and click on the “Register” link next to the Valor Awards headline. You may also call (703) 777-2176 for more information.

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