Pritzker Military Museum & Library Will Honor Three Founder's Award Recipients At The Inaugural Liberty Bash

CAPT Chris Cassidy, USN (Retired), COL Harvey C. "Barney" Barnum Jr., USMC (Retired), and Major General Brian Winski, USA (Retired) will be honored.

KENOSHA, Wis., Sept. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pritzker Military Museum & Library (PMML) is proud to be honoring the recipients of the 2025 Founder's Award: CAPT Chris Cassidy, USN (Retired), COL Harvey C. "Barney" Barnum Jr., USMC (Retired), and Major General Brian Winski, USA (Retired). The awards will be presented at the inaugural Liberty Bash on November 8^th. The Founder's Award recognizes an individual or organization for an extraordinary contribution to the mission of PMML and the preservation of the heritage of the Citizen Soldier.

"We take pride in honoring and recognizing three Founder's Award recipients," stated Pritzker Military Museum & Library Founder Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired). "The notable accomplishments of each of our honorees embody what it means to be a Citizen Soldier."

The evening will honor the Founder's Award recipients' achievements and celebrate the 250th birthday of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and all branches of the world's most professional fighting force.

The Liberty Bash will also mark the PMML's commitment to being an integral part of the Kenosha community. Since the opening in 2024, PMML has been highlighting the stories of the Citizen Soldier by delivering community programs for all to attend.

"The Liberty Bash is more than an evening of celebration. It is a recognition of three extraordinary individuals, the 250th birthdays of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, and the enduring legacy of military service in America," said Scott English, President and CEO, "This event helps us build programs connecting Wisconsin to our nation's military story and ensuring that lessons of service and sacrifice continue inspiring generations to come."

About the honorees

CAPT Chris Cassidy, USN (Retired)

Chris Cassidy is the President and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, where he led efforts to build the recently opened iconic Museum and Griffin Institute. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Master of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he chose a life of service to his country at a young age, serving as a U.S. Navy Seal and later as NASA's Chief Astronaut. Cassidy was awarded two Bronze Stars for his service in Afghanistan and is a veteran of three space flights and ten spacewalks.

COL Harvey C. "Barney" Barnum Jr., USMC (Retired)

Harvey C. "Barney" Barnum is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel and the fourth Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for valor in Vietnam. Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, he served in several prominent roles at the Department of Defense. Barnum is past president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and has a naval destroyer named in his honor, The USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr.

Major General Brian Winski, USA (Retired)

Major General Brian Winski is a retired Army officer with 37 years of service including command of the 101st Airborne Division. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in History from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and a Master's Degree in History and Liberal Arts from Louisiana State University. Winski is currently the President and CEO of the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation where he leads efforts to build the Tennessee Wings of Liberty Museum honoring all military units that served at Fort Campbell.

For more information on the inaugural Liberty Bash, please visit the Pritzker Military Museum & Library website.

Located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library collections consist of just over 40,000 artifacts and over 65,000 book titles. A non-governmental, non-partisan organization, the Museum & Library features diverse collections, scholarly initiatives, and programs. With national and global reach, the Museum & Library aims to share the stories of those who served, helping citizens everywhere appreciate the relationship between the armed forces and the civilians whose freedoms they protect.

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SOURCE Pritzker Military Museum & Library