On March 25th, the National Medal of Honor Museum officially opens in Arlington, Texas—a groundbreaking tribute to the extraordinary bravery and sacrifice of the nation’s most decorated service members. Celebrating the recipients’ courage while inspiring future generations to embody the values of service, sacrifice and heroism, the state-of-the-art museum is poised to become a powerful landmark.
Spearheaded by U.S. Navy veteran, former NASA astronaut and current President and CEO Chris Cassidy, the museum offers an immersive experience that brings to life the remarkable stories of the 3,500 recipients of the Medal of Honor. For Cassidy, the museum’s opening is a personal milestone. “I assumed there was already a building focused on telling these Medal of Honor stories, and there wasn’t,” he shares. “It’s rewarding to be part of the team delivering this museum and the stories to the country.”
Through honoring military heroes, the museum aims to motivate visitors to find courage in their own lives. “Whether it's a tough relationship or just getting through final exams, the museum is about inspiring people to be courageous, make tough decisions and be the best version of themselves, using Medal of Honor stories as the example.”
While the Medal is awarded for acts of valor beyond the call of duty, Cassidy stresses that recipients are “normal citizens of our country.” To showcase the human side of these heroes, the museum will highlight their lives before, during and after their service, showing that they are citizens, like any of us.
To further engage visitors, the museum features displays such as interactive screens and even virtual conversations with Medal of Honor recipients. “We filmed five recipients and asked them almost 1000 questions,” Cassidy says. “An AI algorithm will stitch together answers to any question a visitor asks, so you’re having a conversation in real time with an avatar of the recipient.” Another standout feature is a flight simulator that places visitors in decision-making scenarios that mirror those faced by helicopter pilots in combat.
The museum also includes the Leadership Institute, which offers educational programs aimed at building character in young people. One such program, “Moments That Matter,” focuses on teaching middle school students about courage, integrity and commitment. Cassidy hopes to expand these programs statewide in coming years, inspiring students to serve others in whatever capacity they can.
To kick off the museum’s opening, a “Mission to Inspire” event will take place on March 22nd, featuring a 25-minute fireworks and drone show, live music and interactive displays that’s all free to the public. “It’s going to be a lot of fun, and a great way to introduce the museum to the country,” Cassidy says.
The Medal of Honor Museum is more than just a place to learn about military history—it’s a celebration of the spirit of service that defines America. By honoring these heroes, the museum invites all of us to serve our communities and our nation.
The museum is about inspiring people to be courageous, make tough decisions and be the best version of themselves, using Medal of Honor stories as the example.