Last week CNCS CEO Patrick Corvington joined President Obama to honor thirteen outstanding Americans from across the country who have “performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens” with a 2010 Presidential Citizens Medal. All of the recipients are remarkable; living examples of the importance of service in addressing our nation’s most pressing challenges. Today, on Serve.gov, we wanted to highlight the work of one Presidential Citizens Medal recipient in particular who has dedicated his time to honor those who have served our nation.

George Weiss Jr., a veteran of World War II and the United States Marine Corps, founded the first all-volunteer memorial rifle squad that provides military honors at the funerals of veterans. In the late 1970s, diminishing active duty Armed Forces contingents in Minnesota made it nearly impossible to provide Military honors at funerals in the Twin Cities. Weiss saw this need, and founded the Fort Snelling Memorial Rifle Squad in 1979 to meet the requests of the families of veterans to honor their loved ones. Today, the Rifle Squad consists of more than 125 volunteers who have performed final military honors for more than 55,000 deceased veterans. For his dedication and tireless work on behalf of veterans and their families, Weiss was awarded the Citizens Medal.

Take a look at this video from the White House of George Weiss Jr. as he discusses his story of service:

Learn more more about the Fort Snelling Memorial Rifle Squad, check out the White House Citizens Medal page to hear the other impressive award recipients share their stories of service and visit Serve.gov/militaryfamilies to find out how you can give back to those who serve.

Imagine a young Soldier in Afghanistan walking into a tent, dropping his gear, and picking up a copy of Green Eggs and Ham to read to his daughter at home. Imagine, back home in base housing, his wife and daughter sit down to watch Daddy read a bedtime story from the other side of the world. At that moment, Daddy is home.
 

On Saturday, May 8th, 2010, a group of veterans and other volunteers arrived at 21 acres to prepare a Veteran Pea Patch for planting. 21 acres is a non-profit, dedicated to assisting the Woodinville, Washington community and surrounding areas in providing pea patches for local citizens and larger sites for groups that have a constituency.
 

The Obama Administration is committed to taking care of our troops, military families and veterans and this week the White House honored the military and their families for all their hard work in service to our nation. Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill spent the Fourth of July in Iraq with American soldiers. While there, they participated in a naturalization ceremony for more than 150 servicemen and servicewomen who became U.S. citizens while stationed in the Middle East. Dr. Jill Biden later shared lunch with U.S. servicewomen at Camp Victory and listened to soldiers there, saluting them for "managing all the challenges of parenting -- securing health care, child care and education -- while one or both parents are away."
 

In between parades and fireworks, carve out some time this weekend to give back to your community - take some time out to support those that are serving by volunteering in their honor. Read more to find out how to volunteer this holiday weekend.
 

The Beaches Veterans Association holds monthly cook-outs, rotating between organizations. All proceeds goes to the USO No Dough Dinners.
 

In my hometown of Reno, Nevada, about 60 low income, older veterans live in a subsidized-housing complex. Most live alone and have no family living nearby to help. The majority of them have no cars or even telephones. An added complication is that several are physically or mentally disabled.
 

October has been a milestone in our Chapters history with the signing of a "COMMUNITY COVENANT" by our Chapters 1st Vice President, John Snyder, and the Commanders of American Legion Posts 129;316.233; VFW Post 3270; and FRA 290, along with the Mayors of Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach.
 

To most people, digging up dirt and spreading mulch may not sound like a good time. However, that’s exactly what over 30 volunteers of all ages at RAF Mildenhall UK Air Force Base did in early September when they came together to create a remembrance garden for armed services veterans.
 

Veterans First Executive Director, Deanne Tate, was moved to tears thanking volunteers for volunteering and spending the day helping veterans in need. It was an honor to participate on this rebuild project and help honor the service men and women who have given so much to our country.
 

We found a solution to help military girls fight low self-esteem, grow in leadership, and unite with those who understand their struggles. The Sisterhood of the Traveling BDUs will bring together 500 military girls from across California for the first ever weekend conference for military girls to empower one another in sisterly support.
 

In Minnesota, a collaborative of citizens has emerged to provide a forum for veterans to share their stories and begin the process of healing.