The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington is inching toward completion, having recently been bolstered by $3 million in donations from Anheuser-Busch and the Texas Lottery Commission.
Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth presented a $1 million philanthropic donation to support the museum’s construction during a ceremony at Bush Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 20. Chris Cassidy, president and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation (NMOHMF), and Britt Slabinski, a Medal of Honor recipient, accepted the donation on behalf of the foundation.
“This is just one more way that we can honor and recognize the servicemen and women who have sacrificed for our country, especially the more than 5,000 veterans who work at Anheuser-Busch,” said Whitworth, according to an NMOHMF news release.
Cassidy expressed appreciation for the support provided by the company.
“For as long as there has been a Medal of Honor, Anheuser-Busch has been making a positive impact in their communities, said Cassidy, per the release. “Their generosity will help preserve the legacies of Medal of Honor recipients and inspire the next generation of Americans with their stories of leadership, courage, selflessness, and love of country.”
When completed, the National Medal of Honor Museum will tell the stories of more than 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients. The Medal of Honor is the highest decoration that a U.S. service member can receive for courage and valor in combat.
Congress created the NMOHMF in December 2021 to raise funds for the museum’s construction and a Medal of Honor monument in Washington, D.C., as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The museum will reportedly include an education center dedicated to helping young people build character. To that end, the Texas Lottery Commission donated $2 million to the foundation to support its programs and ensure the facility’s accessibility to students and active-duty service members.
“The $2 million sponsorship will fund the Texas student field trip program, which will lower the admissions cost by approximately 75% for Texas schools to bring students to the National Medal of Honor Museum. It will also fund the Museum’s Texas military program, making admissions completely free for active-duty Texans,” the NMOHMF explained in a news release.
The Texas Lottery Commission will be the naming sponsor of the two admission programs.
“The Lone Star State has always been deeply committed to our students, veterans, and service members,” said Robert G. Rivera, chairman of the Texas Lottery Commission, per the release. “We are honored to partner with the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation in their mission to inspire America from right here in Texas.”
The National Medal of Honor Museum broke ground in March 2022 and is expected to be completed in early 2025.
