Rittenhouse Square –
It’s not often you find more than one Medal of Honor recipient in the same room.

But that was the case tonight in Rittenhouse Square, where three soldiers given the highest military award got together for charity.

Fox 29′s Drew Dickman reports.

The three Medal of Honor recipients stopped by The Irish Pub in Rittenhouse Square to raise money for The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation.

It’s a charity that gives scholarships to children whose parents died serving our country and communities.

It was a hero’s welcome for three Medal of Honor recipients, gathering for a good cause.

“In many respects, it’s not about me paying back, but it’s about the guys I was with that would want to pay back as well. They’re just not here to do it,” Medal of Honor recipient Brian Thacker said.

First Lieutenant Thacker earned the award after getting separated from his unit in South Vietnam and hiding for eight days without food and water.

Navy Seal Michael Thornton received the honor after carrying fellow soldiers to safety during a five hour long fire-fight in South Vietnam.

Harvey Barnum, who goes by Barney, was presented the Medal of Honor after he took control of his unit in South Vietnam when his commander was killed in action.

Now all three war heroes are fighting a new battle, raising money to support children of fallen officers’ and service members.

“The future of our country lies in the hands of our youth, so when a service men gets killed in the line of duty, or a police officer, then I think we have an obligation as American citizens to take care of their children and the best way we can do that is to ensure their education,” Barnum said.

Donations came pouring in, like a 65 hundred dollar check from the Burlington County Military Affairs Committee. 

“As far as I’m concerned, in my heart and soul, anybody who serves our country military past and present, should always be taken care of as well as their families,” Barbara Borowiec said.

Thornton’s fast talking sold off several items, including signed copies of the book Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty, where their stories of heroism are brought to life.

The fundraising is the latest offering from three men who have already given more than their share for our country.

“You don’t have to be wearing a uniform or the cloth of America. There are so many other ways you can support these freedoms that we enjoy so much in this country,” Thornton said.

The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation has raised 47 million dollars since its inception in 1995.

Tonight they were able to raise $40,000. 98 percent of the proceeds go to the programs for the children in need.

Read more: http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/25279736/medal#ixzz2zG6yDnmx