The first museum of its kind which will recognize recipients of the Medal Honor finally breaks ground in Arlington and was followed by stories, performances, tributes, speeches and more according to a Dallas Cowboys article from March 25. They say,
“The one-of-a-kind museum, which will be built in Arlington, walking distance from AT&T Stadium, will recognize the 3,511 servicemembers who have received the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest award for valor in combat as well as all who they served alongside.
The groundbreaking was attended in person by 15 Medal of Honor recipients who earned their Medals during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan – including the nation’s last living World War II recipient, 98-year-old Woody Williams.
The ceremony also featured a military flyover by the 301st Fighter Wing from Joint Base Fort Worth; video tributes voiced by Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey; performances by the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, the U.S. Air Force Band of the West, and the U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club; and remarks from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A. Milley and Medal of Honor recipient Major General Patrick H. Brady.”
Aside from Matthewq McConaughey, President George Bush and CNN Jake Tapper also attended the ceremony and offered their own speeches according to a Dallas Morning News article from March 25 which reports,
“Actor and Texan Matthew McConaughey provided voice-overs for several videos shown during the event. Beneath a white tent, former President George W. Bush and CNN’s Jake Tapper, who moderated the event, hailed the museum as a long-overdue project that will serve as both a national inspiration and vault for the nation’s history and shared values.
Bush called presenting the Medal of Honor one of the great privileges of serving as Commander in Chief.
“You’re looking at someone with integrity, fortitude and patriotism. You’re looking at honor,” Bush said at the event. “These values must be preserved, protected and passed on to future generations.”
“The grounds of battle are made hallowed by the blood and sweat poured out into the dirt,” Tapper said. “And the grounds are marked by the sacred tears of parents and grandparents praying for a hero’s safe return.”
While the museum is still set to open in 2024, it has already been decided that it will not just contain stories of our heroes but also feature different artifacts like letters, weapons and uniforms. More importantly, it will also include an education center to help develop character in our youth.
