Senator Collins Congratulates Brunswick Native on Receiving Prestigious Youth Service Award

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that Charlie Austin, a Brunswick native, has received the 2021 Citizen Honors Youth Service Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.  

Charlie was chosen for his selfless service in donating time and money to help fund and develop The Warrior Program, a virtual training program for Special Olympics Maine.  As Charlie grappled with living with cardiac limitations, he was determined to stay in the world of sports and immersed himself in helping Special Olympics athletes.

“The Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Citizen Honors Youth Service Award is one of the highest distinctions for young people whose acts of courage and self-sacrifice symbolize the American spirit.  Charlie’s commitment to Special Olympics Maine and helping all Mainers experience the joy of friendly competition is an inspiring example to us all,” said Senator Collins.  “I wish Charlie all the best on the bright future that lies ahead.”

Each year, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society conducts a nationwide search to select individuals in four categories and one organization to receive their Citizen Honors Awards.  These recipients exemplify the values embodied in the Medal of Honor: courage, sacrifice, commitment, integrity, citizenship, and patriotism.

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered by Congress in 1958 to create a brotherhood among the living Medal of Honor recipients; to protect and uphold the dignity and honor of the Medal; to promote patriotism and love of country; and to inspire our youth to become worthy and dedicated citizens of our nation.  Its membership consists exclusively of those individuals who have received the Medal of Honor.  Today, there are 69 living recipients of the Medal of Honor.  The Society is unique in that its membership hopes that there will be no need to welcome new inductees.

At the Congressional Medal of Honor Society 2018 Convention, Senator Collins received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society for her work to support veterans.