Former presidents ask their fellow Americans to support the mission to build a national Museum, Monument recognizing highest award for bravery in combat
ARLINGTON, TX – (November 8, 2021) – The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation (NMOHMF) premiered a new public service announcement, entitled Join the Mission, featuring former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. The former commanders in chief offer their support for, and ask all Americans to join, the national campaign to build a Museum in America’s heartland in Arlington, TX, and Monument in Washington, DC, in recognition of the service and sacrifice of America’s Medal of Honor recipients. The PSA first aired on FOX Sports during the NFL’s Salute to Service game at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, near the site of the future Museum.
All three former presidents are Honorary Directors on the NMOHMF’s Board of Directors. The PSA will run throughout November during the NFL’s month-long Salute to Service series, as well as several other traditional and social media platforms encouraging all Americans to join the NMOHMF’s ‘Mission to Inspire America.’
“Medal of Honor recipients represent the best of our nation – those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. As our highest military decoration, the Medal and its values deserve our national recognition. This Museum and Monument will provide all Americans a place to learn from the ideals we all hold so dearly: courage, sacrifice, patriotism, citizenship, integrity, and commitment,” said President Clinton.
“America owes a debt we can never fully repay to Medal of Honor recipients. Each answered a noble call and demonstrated tremendous personal courage, love of country, and devotion to duty. It’s our responsibility to honor these patriots and their families. Providing a home for their stories to be kept and shared with future generations is one way we can express our gratitude,” said President Bush.
“Those who have earned the Medal of Honor represent the best of the United States, and of the 40 million who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since the Civil War, fewer than 4,000 have received the highest award for bravery in combat. Recognizing their service – and learning from their courageous examples – will benefit all Americans. That’s why it’s critical for our nation to come together to salute their bravery and build a museum in their honor – the National Medal of Honor Museum,” said President Obama.
“On behalf of the NMOHMF, we are grateful for and humbled by the support from Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama. The NMOHMF is on a mission to inspire America with this historic, unifying project, and with just 66 Medal of Honor recipients alive today, time is of the essence to recognize America’s greatest heroes,” said Chris Cassidy, NMOHMF President & CEO, and Charlotte Jones, Chairman of the NMOHMF Board of Directors.
The premiere of the PSA wrapped up a jam-packed weekend of activities for the NMOHMF. This included the Dallas-based Airpower Foundation’s Sky Ball fundraiser and the Commanders’ Classic Army-Air Force Game in Arlington. In partnership with UPS, the NMOHMF also delivered thousands of letters to Medal of Honor recipients as a part of its Medal of Honor Mail Call. During yesterday’s game, Medal of Honor recipients associated with the Museum project were also featured in the pre-game and at halftime, when the PSA aired once more.
The full transcript of the PSA can be found below:
PRESIDENT BUSH: The President of the United States meets with so many extraordinary individuals.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: Among the most impressive are those who earned the Medal of Honor, the highest accolade our country bestows upon a member of the armed services.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: The Medal of Honor is awarded for bravery in combat, to those who go above and beyond the call of duty.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Risking their lives to save others, overcoming incredible odds, often making the ultimate sacrifice.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Of the estimated 40 million people who have served in the United States military since the Civil War, fewer than 4,000 have received the honor.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: We salute these extraordinary Americans. We will never forget their sacrifices. We will always be inspired by their heroism.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Let’s all come together to build a museum in their honor.
PRESIDENT CLINTON: The National Medal of Honor Museum.
PRESIDENT BUSH: On a mission to inspire America.
