After years of planning, National Medal of Honor Museum will break ground next month in Arlington
Construction is set to begin next month on the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington.
A ceremonial groundbreaking is planned for March 25 to coincide with National Medal of Honor Day.
The museum — the first of its kind in the U.S. — will share stories of the more than 3,500 recipients of the Medal of Honor, which is the nation’s highest award for valor in combat. It is expected to open in 2024.
Arlington was selected for the museum in 2019, following a nationwide search. Since then, the museum’s foundation has picked up big donations, including $20 million from Jerry Jones, as well as numerous private and corporate donors.
Featuring a modern aesthetic, the museum will have a prime spot in the city’s entertainment district, which already draws millions of tourists each year. The area is home to the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Texas Live! and Six Flags Over Texas.
The museum will include an education center that aims to develop character in young people.
“A critical part of our mission will be to use the stories of our Medal of Honor recipients to inspire young people, and motivate them to be their best selves,” the museum’s website says.
Once complete, the museum in Arlington will complement the National Medal of Honor Monument being built in Washington, D.C. The monument will honor the growing list of medal recipients and will serve as a ceremonial place of reflection to highlight their service and sacrifice.
Next month’s groundbreaking will bring together North Texas business and community leaders, as well as medal recipients and longtime champions of the project. American Airlines plans to host a celebration the evening before the groundbreaking, a spokesman for the museum said.
In addition, the museum is launching an essay contest for 6th through 12th graders nationwide to write about what honor means to them and why our society needs honorable people. Judges will select a winning entry, and the writer will be flown to Arlington to read the essay at the groundbreaking.
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