ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A brand new museum dedicated to telling the tales of those that have obtained the nation’s highest army honor is opening this coming week in Texas.
The Nationwide Medal of Honor Museum is about to open Tuesday in Arlington, simply west of Dallas. It highlights the lives and repair of Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil Warfare to the worldwide battle on terrorism. Over 3,500 individuals have obtained the Medal of Honor, which is awarded by Congress for risking one’s life in fight past the decision of obligation.
Jack Jacobs, a retired U.S. Military colonel who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions through the Vietnam Warfare, stated he desires museum guests to appreciate the recipients aren’t “spectacular supermen,” but regular people who “embody the kinds of values that are really important.”
“Really grand things, not just in combat, but in everyday life … are all accomplished by ordinary people who come to the conclusion that something has to be done and they are going to do it,” Jacobs stated.
When his unit was ambushed by the Viet Cong on March 9, 1968, Jacobs took cost after his commander was critically wounded. Regardless of being wounded within the head by shrapnel and bleeding closely, Jacobs reorganized the corporate and repeatedly ran by way of enemy hearth to rescue the wounded, saving the lives of a U.S. adviser and 13 troopers.
Jacobs, now 79, stated he misplaced lots of mates within the battle.
“You really do wear the award for all of the people who can’t wear the award,” he stated.
The museum’s focus is on telling the life tales of the recipients, stated Alexandra Rhue, the museum’s senior vp of engagement. “Here you met the people first and then you learn what they did,” Rhue stated.
The recipients featured within the museum embody these from numerous branches of the army, conflicts and geographic areas, in addition to completely different ethnicities and races.
Chris Cassidy, the museum’s president and CEO, stated he hopes the reveals encourage guests.
“Everybody needs courage in some form or fashion,” he stated. “So that’s our aim: to inspire people through the stories of Medal of Honor actions, to bring a little courage into your own life.”
A number of of the recipients, together with Jacobs, seem in movies in an exhibit the place their photos reply guests’ questions. There are over 60 recipients who’re nonetheless residing.
A celebration Saturday forward of the opening will function musical performances, fireworks and a drone present. The museum is nestled amongst Globe Life Subject, the place the Texas Rangers play, and AT&T Stadium, residence of the Dallas Cowboys.