The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation announced Tuesday that its board of directors has selected Denver and Arlington, Texas, as the two finalists after a national search that began in October, according to a news release.
As part of the search criteria, the foundation strives to ensure that “the newly created museum will have the highest impact on the largest number of people possible,” the release said.
The final city will be announced in September. The nation’s highest and most prestigious military honor, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to more than 3,500 military service members since it was first presented in 1863.
“The National Medal of Honor Museum is the caretaker of a legacy defined by sacrifice,” said Medal of Honor recipient Britt Slabinski in the release. “The service and patriotism of my fellow Medal of Honor recipients and those we served with should be told on a national stage.”
The Denver area is the 19th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. and home to about 3 million people, the release stated. In 2017, the area hosted about 32 million visitors who spent a total of $5.6 billion.
Gov. Jared Polis, in a letter to Joe Daniels, president and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, said Colorado has much to offer to the museum and said the state is excited and honored by the prospect of hosting the museum.
“Colorado and the city of Denver are prospering, and we would like to present you with a unique opportunity to join in that prosperity and partner with us to create a home for the new National Medal of Honor Museum, where Americans can honor and learn the history of its bravest and finest,” Polis said in the letter.
If Denver is chosen, plans envision Civic Center as the museum’s location.