The Grand Opening Celebration comes just three days before the Museum officially opens its doors to the public on Tuesday, March 25 – National Medal of Honor Day. The Grand Opening event on March 22nd has been designated An Event of National Significance by the Department of Defense and as such will include performances and participation by:
- The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets
- The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment "The Old Guard"
- The U.S. Army Strings
- The U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Band
- "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra
- The U.S. Navy Band Commodores
- The U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club
"Cutting the ribbon to open the National Medal of Honor Museum will be the realization of a long-awaited moment. After decades of dreams, the Medal of Honor and its Recipients will now have a proper home, where the values of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism will be preserved and shared with future generations of Americans," said U.S. Army Major General Patrick H. Brady (Ret.), Medal of Honor Recipient and member of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation Board of Directors. "This Medal – and this Museum – are for those I served with, especially the ones who never came home. I hope that visitors will learn from our stories and see that they too have it within themselves to do something great for others and make a positive impact on our country."
Of the 40 million Americans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, fewer than 4,000 have earned the Medal of Honor. Of those, only 61 are living today.
Prominent guests are expected to include: 32 Medal of Honor Recipients, NBC TODAY Show anchor Savannah Guthrie, who will emcee a special dinner for Recipients and supporters prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony; musician Lee Greenwood, who will perform his hit song "God Bless the USA"; Gary Sinise, an Academy Award-nominated actor known for his role as Lieutenant Dan Taylor in "Forrest Gump"; Tricia Lucas, the widow of country music superstar Toby Keith, who graciously granted the Museum rights to a live recording of her husband's patriotic hit "American Soldier" for inclusion in the event programming; Dallas Cowboys' stars Dak Prescott and Jake Ferguson, as well as Cowboys legend Zack Martin; and senior leaders of prominent Museum corporate partners including American Airlines, Anheuser Busch, AT&T, Bank of America, Carnival Cruise Line, Dallas Cowboys, Lockheed Martin, Lucas Oil, JPMorgan, Texas Rangers and others; members of Congress, and dozens of current and former national, state and local elected officials.
Chris Cassidy, NMOHMF President and CEO, said: "In an evening filled with fireworks, nothing will shine brighter than the Medal of Honor Recipients. It is because of their service and sacrifice that we can gather for celebrations like these. I am so proud to open our doors and share their stories of courage, commitment and selflessness with the nation. At the National Medal of Honor Museum, we are stewards of their legacy and vow to uphold the values represented by the Medal."
The National Medal of Honor Museum is unique in that it is neither a war memorial nor a military museum, but instead values and biography based, taking visitors on a narrative journey through the lives of ordinary people who did something extraordinary in service to others. Visitors will learn that courage is not contained to the battlefield and having a sense of duty is not demarcated by a uniform. They will be inspired to live their own lives of service and make a positive impact in their communities.
The elevated exhibit deck, held aloft by five concrete mega-columns representing branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, features 31,000 square feet of artifacts, interviews, lives, and legacies of those who have received our country's highest award for valor in combat. Highlights of the exbibits include a fully restored Bell UH-1 "Huey" Iroquois helicopter modeled after the one flown by Medal of Honor Recipient U.S. Army Major General Patrick H. Brady (Ret.) and "Conversations: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives" where guests can use innovative technology to interview a virtual Medal of Honor Recipient.
In total, the Museum has more than 100,000 square feet of space, including areas for classrooms, meetings, memorials and ceremonies. It is home to the National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute, a leadership institute named after business leader and philanthropist Kenneth C. Griffin dedicated to inspiring, equipping, and connecting people to live the values of the Medal of Honor.
The Museum also has enjoyed a stellar team leading the charge to Grand Opening, including Foundation Board Chairman Charlotte Jones, Chief Brand Officer and Co-Owner of the Dallas Cowboys; Museum CEO Chris Cassidy, a former NASA astronaut and retired Navy SEAL; as well as five recipients of the Medal of Honor who also serve on the Foundation's Board. It has the support of three of our nation's living former presidents – Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama – all of whom are Honorary Directors.
Charlotte Jones, Chairman of the NMOHMF Board of Directors, said: "These Grand Opening festivities will be the culmination of years of effort. I take such inspiration from our Medal of Honor Recipients, and I know that all Americans will as well once they visit this landmark Museum. None of it would be possible without our dedicated team and generous supporters."
Supporters who are not local to the North Texas region or otherwise unable to attend can view a livestream of the celebration via the Museum's website, www.mohmuseum.org. Grand Opening celebrations are being graciously underwritten by Museum partners: The City of Arlington, Texas, American Airlines, and Boeing.
Tickets to visit the National Medal of Honor Museum are now available for purchase on the Museum's website ahead of the doors opening to the public on March 25, 2025. More information to help guests plan their visit is available at mohmuseum.org.
About the National Medal of Honor Museum, Monument and Griffin Institute
The National Medal of Honor Museum, Monument and Griffin Institute will inspire individuals by honoring and preserving the history of the highest military decoration awarded for valor in combat.
The Museum, opening in 2025, will serve as a national landmark located in America's heartland in Arlington, Texas, and provide an unrivaled, interactive visitor experience that commemorates the historical thread of sacrifice, patriotism, and courage that connects members of the United States military service past and present. It is the Museum's mission to tell the stories of Medal of Honor recipients in a dynamic and interactive setting that will inspire visitors to recognize the potential for the extraordinary that resides in us all.
Through dynamic and far-reaching curriculum and programming, the National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute is bringing to life the core values inherent to the Medal of Honor in classrooms, boardrooms, and communities around the country.
In 2021, The National Medal of Honor Monument Act was signed into law, paving the way for the monument's placement in Washington, D.C. Soon, Americans and visitors of every nation will have the opportunity to reflect on the values represented by those whose selfless and courageous actions have served to safeguard freedom and democracy the world over.
For more information please visit the National Medal of Honor Museum website or follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
SOURCE National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation
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