Saturday, March 22, 2025
After three years of construction, the National Medal of Honor Museum is set to officially open this Saturday with a grand public celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event will welcome 32 Medal of Honor recipients, along with prominent military and national leaders, celebrities, and musical performers. Following the ceremony, the Mission to Inspire Spectacular will dazzle the crowd with a stunning display of fireworks and drones, enhanced by immersive video and diverse musical compositions, creating a powerful 360-degree storytelling experience to mark this historic occasion.
The Grand Opening Celebration will take place just three days ahead of the Museum’s official public debut on Tuesday, March 25, which coincides with National Medal of Honor Day. Recognized by the Department of Defense as An Event of National Significance, the March 22nd celebration will feature a distinguished lineup of military performances and appearances, including:
The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets
The 3d U.S.
The U.S. Army Strings The Infantry Regiment, often referred to as “The Old Guard”
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.”
Out of the 40 million Americans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, fewer than 4,000 have received the prestigious Medal of Honor—and today, only 61 of those recipients are still living.
The celebration is set to welcome a host of notable guests, including 32 Medal of Honor recipients. NBC TODAY Show anchor Savannah Guthrie will serve as emcee for an exclusive dinner honoring the recipients and supporters ahead of the ribbon-cutting. The event will also feature a performance by musician Lee Greenwood, singing his iconic “God Bless the USA,” and an appearance by actor Gary Sinise, renowned for portraying Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump. Tricia Lucas, widow of country music legend Toby Keith, has generously provided the Museum with the rights to use a live recording of Keith’s powerful anthem “American Soldier” as part of the program.
Sports and entertainment personalities such as Dak Prescott, Jake Ferguson, and Cowboys legend Zack Martin will join the celebration, along with key executives from major corporate partners including American Airlines, Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Bank of America, Carnival Cruise Line, Lockheed Martin, Lucas Oil, JPMorgan, the Texas Rangers, and the Dallas Cowboys. Members of Congress and numerous current and former officials at the national, state, and local levels are also expected to attend.
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.”
What sets the National Medal of Honor Museum apart is its focus on values and personal stories rather than battles or military hardware. It’s not a traditional war memorial or military museum—instead, it offers a powerful, narrative-driven experience that follows the real-life journeys of everyday individuals who displayed extraordinary bravery and selflessness. Visitors walk away with the understanding that courage isn’t limited to combat, and a commitment to service goes far beyond wearing a uniform. The goal is to spark inspiration and empower people to lead lives rooted in purpose and community impact.
Suspended on five massive concrete columns—each symbolizing a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces—the museum’s elevated exhibit deck spans 31,000 square feet. Inside, guests can explore an impressive collection of artifacts, personal stories, and recorded interviews honoring Medal of Honor recipients. Standout exhibits include a fully restored Bell UH-1 “Huey” Iroquois helicopter, modeled after the one piloted by Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Major General Patrick H. Brady (Ret.), and “Conversations: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives,” where visitors can engage in lifelike, interactive interviews with virtual Medal of Honor recipients.
Altogether, the museum encompasses over 100,000 square feet of thoughtfully designed space, including classrooms, event venues, and areas dedicated to reflection and ceremonial observances. It is also home to the National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute—named after philanthropist and business leader Kenneth C. Griffin—a leadership center devoted to cultivating the core values represented by the Medal of Honor and empowering people to carry them into their everyday lives.
A remarkable team has brought this vision to life, led by Foundation Board Chairman Charlotte Jones, Chief Brand Officer and Co-Owner of the Dallas Cowboys; Museum CEO Chris Cassidy, a retired Navy SEAL and former NASA astronaut; and five Medal of Honor recipients who serve on the Foundation’s Board. The project also has the prestigious support of three former U.S. presidents—Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama—who serve as 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.”
