National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation Announces Denver, CO., and Arlington, TX., as Two Finalist Cities for Museum’s New Home

 National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation Announces Denver, CO., and Arlington, TX., as Two Finalist Cities for Museum’s New Home
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Foundation Also to Build the First Medal of Honor Monument in Washington, D.C. 
Search to Culminate with Final Selection in September
The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation today announced that – following a national search – Denver, Colorado, and Arlington, Texas, have been selected by the Foundation’s Board of Directors as finalists for the future home of the National Medal of Honor Museum. The search, launched in October 2018, has the goal of ensuring the newly created museum will have the highest impact on the largest number of people possible. It will culminate with the final city selection this September.
The Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest and most prestigious military honor, has been awarded to more than 3,500 military service members since the first medal was presented in 1863. The National Medal of Honor Museum will offer an experience that draws personal and emotional connections to Medal of Honor recipients and their inspiring stories, while shedding light on the wars in which they fought and the ideals that the Medal of Honor represents.
Joe Daniels, President and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, said, “Arlington and Denver are two exceptional cities, and we have been overwhelmed by the response we have received from their state and local officials about this important undertaking. Public and private leaders from both cities have expressed a strong desire to help the museum in its mission to further unite us all around what it means to be patriotic, to inspire us to find the hero within ourselves, and to preserve the stories of our nation’s Medal of Honor recipients for future generations. We are deeply grateful.”
The museum also announced that it will work with Congress to create the first-ever monument in Washington, D.C., dedicated to honoring the more than 3,500 Medal of Honor recipients. The Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial will join other national landmarks in the country’s capital, and draw a maximum level of visibility and support from every corner of the United States.
“The National Medal of Honor Museum is the caretaker of a legacy defined by sacrifice,” said Medal of Honor recipient Master Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Britt Slabinski. “The service and patriotism of my fellow Medal of Honor recipients and those we served with should be told on a national stage. The National Medal of Honor museum will protect and project that legacy by building a museum in America’s heartland, Denver or Arlington, and a Medal of Honor monument on the national mall in our nation’s capital. This will create additional opportunities for millions of visitors to experience and learn those stories”.
The Denver metropolitan region, which encompasses Denver, Aurora and Lakewood, is the 19th largest in the nation and home to more than 2.9 million people. In 2017, Denver saw nearly than 32 million visitors who spent a total of $5.6 billion.  Denver is home to cultural institutions including the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Botanic Gardens, Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, Children’s Museum of Denver, Denver Art Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, and the American Museum of Western Art. There are several major sports teams –Denver Broncos, the Colorado Rockies, the Colorado Avalanche, the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.  Two of the largest employers in Denver are HealthONE Corporation which employs 11,050 and Lockheed Martin which employs 14,000.
The Arlington metropolitan region, which encompasses Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington, is fourth largest in the nation with more 7.4 million people. In 2017, the Dallas region saw more than 27 million tourists who spent nearly $5 billion.  Located in or near Arlington is the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the Kimbell Art Museum, The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, and the Arlington Museum of Art. The Arlington region is home to major sports teams such as the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, the Dallas Stars, the Dallas Mavericks and FC Dallas. The two largest employers in the Arlington region are American Airlines in Fort Worth which employs 24,700 and Bank of America in Dallas which employs 20,000.
The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation is evaluating a range of factors in its search. They include location, market size, tourism activity and number of visitors, community support – both overall and patriotic – for our nation’s history, and public transportation options. During the final phase of the selection process, between now and September, the Foundation will engage in detailed discussions with members of the Arlington and Denver communities. During this time, the Foundation will be further evaluating timeline for conveyance of a potential museum location, the potential support of private individuals and organizations, and programmatic possibilities within each city.