Visions of Valor, a permanent photographic exhibit of over 100 dramatic portraits of Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, opens Friday at the Pentagon at 11 a.m. EST, Feb. 3 at the 5 Floor, Corridors 5 and 6 intersection, on the A-Ring.

            Seven Medal of Honor recipients are expected to attend the opening ceremonies along with Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England and other high-ranking Department of Defense officials.

            Additionally, Gary Lee Littrell, president, Congressional Medal of Honor Society, will be speaking after England and closing the program.  Littrell is a Medal of Honor recipient and his portrait hangs in the Pentagon’s collection.

            The exhibit was presented to the Pentagon by TriWest Healthcare Alliance, which acquired the portraits from award winning photographer Nick Del Calzo.  Del Calzo published the portraits in the book, “Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty.”

            A duplicate collection of portraits comprises a traveling "Visions of Valor" exhibit.  Beginning in Phoenix and now on display at the Naval Medical Center San Diego, the traveling exhibit will move throughout military and veterans’ facilities throughout the West for the purpose of sharing the legacy and appreciation of America's Heroes with the public.

            For more information on the Medal of Honor National Exhibition Portrait Collection, visit http://www.themedal.com .

            Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the North Parking Entrance only.   Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification.  Please call (703) 697-5131 for escort into the Pentagon.