Secretary of State Sam Reed is accepting nominations for the Washington State Medal of Valor and Medal of Merit, the two highest honors presented by the people of Washington.

Nominations for either award will be accepted until Aug. 12. Medals are awarded at a Joint Session of the State Legislature during the 2013 session.

The Medal of Valor, last awarded in 2007, recognizes individuals who have risked their lives or personal safety to save, or attempt to save, another person’s life. The Medal of Valor cannot be awarded to police officers, firefighters, or others whose actions are a result of their public duties as a first responder.

Eight individuals have received the award in recognition of their life-saving acts of heroism: Jim Swett, Greg Meinhold, Travis Jackson, and Dennis Kinsey in 2006, and Timothy Bourasaw, Rick Bowers, Edward Marsette, and Alana Schutt in 2007.

Last awarded in 2009, the Medal of Merit is given for exceptional conduct in providing outstanding services to citizens. Past Medal of Merit recipients have included such notables as former U.S. Sens. Henry Jackson and Warren Magnuson, former U.S. House Speaker Tom Foley, Nobel Laureate Dr. E Donnall Thomas, artist Jacob Lawrence, former Congresswoman Julia Butler Hansen, KING broadcasting founder Dorothy Bullitt, former Gov. Dan Evans, world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly, civic leader and philanthropist Bill Gates Sr. and former Wenatchee World publisher Wilfred Woods, among others.

Those interested in submitting an application can visit the Secretary of State’s office or visit /www.sos.wa.gov/medals. Nominations can be sent to: Office of the Secretary of State, Medal of Valor Program, P.O. Box 40220, Olympia, WA 98504-0220.

The Medal of Valor Committee consists of Gov. Chris Gregoire, Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, Speaker of the House Frank Chopp and Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Madsen. Reed is an ex-officio member who chairs the committee and whose office administers the program.