ARLINGTON, Texas –
The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation hosted their groundbreaking ceremony in Arlington, Texas, on March 25, 2022. Distinguished guests in attendance included former United States President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush, 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Joseph M. Martin, 15 Medal of Honor recipients and other guests and family members.
“The National Medal of Honor Museum will enshrine the stories of our Medal of Honor recipients for the future generations to come,” said Milley. “Visitors will come to understand the meaning and price of freedom and appreciate the virtue of putting service before self.”
Since the Civil War, more than 40 million individuals have served in the United States Armed Forces. Only 3,511 service members have received the Medal of Honor and 66 are alive today.
“We don’t believe we did America a favor by our service and sacrifice. We believe that God did us a favor by allowing us to be born in this great country among people like you,” said Patrick Brady, a Medal of Honor recipient.
The United States Air Force Band of the West performed throughout the ceremony. The band played in partnership with the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest, members from the Band of Mid America and USAF Heritage of America band to create the USAF Total Force Band. Their mission is to honor, inspire and connect through music.
“I was extremely proud and humbled by the Airman-musicians who came together from four different organizations, across three different major commands and joined with the Air National Guard Bandsmen to elevate the pomp and circumstance of this significant ceremony,” said Maj. Dustin Doyle, USAF Band of the West commander.
The Air National Guard Band is currently supporting Operation Lone Star. or OLS, a joint mission between the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Military Department along the border between Texas and Mexico. Nine of those band members were recalled to support the Medal of Honor ceremony.
“Supporting an event of this magnitude is always special,” said MSgt. Douglas Kost, Band of the West section chief of operations. “These types of events do not happen often, so I was glad we were able to have a role in making the day special for the Medal of Honor recipients.”
The National Medal of Honor Museum will serve as the only national institution dedicated to the livelihood and legacy of the service members who have and will become Medal of Honor recipients.
“I was extremely honored to be a part of such a ceremony,” said Airman Jonah Kelly, Band of Mid America member. “Performing for this audience was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Members of the band were coined by Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Joseph M. Martin for their performance. The band will continue to perform throughout the year. Upcoming performances include ceremonies across Joint Base San Antonio as well as travel to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in support of their community relations and recruiting efforts.