The National Medal of Honor Museum is swiftly moving past its grand opening phase and into the meat of its mission: to offer a robust schedule of events that stand to honor the values of courage and sacrifice. Just six months after throwing open its doors, the Arlington institution has wasted no time in rolling out an impressive lineup for its first fall.
According to the City of Arlington, kicking off the season is the premiere of "Valor and Victory," a documentary that promises to give a special look into just how this museum came to be. Set to screen on September 17th at the Neel Kearby Theater, inside the recently debuted Griffin Institute at the museum, it's stepping up to truly and deeply pull back the curtain on the storied history and future ambitions of the institution.
A highlight for October includes none other than General Stanley McChrystal, who will swing by to offer his insights on leadership—a topic the man knows a thing or two about, having commanded U.S. Joint Special Operations and penned several books, including the freshly dropped "On Character: Choices that Define a Life." The October 3rd event isn't just an opportunity to hear the general speak; it also includes a self-guided museum tour, which can optionally and quickly be upgraded to a VIP experience complete with dinner, all for a tax-deductible donation to support the museum's mission.
And if that's not enough to get community leaders and supporter wallets out and open, the Star Spangled Soirée is coming on November 5. It'll be the museum's inaugural gala, aimed at truly raising the stakes and funds for the ongoing chapters of the museum. In terms of allure, the event seems to be throwing in everything but the kitchen sink, with cocktail mingling, dinner service, keynote speeches by Medal of Honor recipients, and live entertainment—because why not celebrate valor with a side of violins or whatever the planners have queued up.
Chris Cassidy, NMOHMF President and CEO, seems to deeply understand the assignment here, saying, per the City of Arlington, "These events give us the opportunity to honor and reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who have earned our nation’s highest military award for valor." And surely, the museum's fall series intends to duly shine a light on those values—courage, integrity, commitment, citizenship, patriotism—that should probably get a bit more play in today's world. So as plans go, these events might just be something to mark on the calendar.
