National Medal of Honor Museum - The Box rests atop five mega columns representing the five branches of the military. (Photo by Rafael Vinloy Architects)
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The National Medal of Honor Museum is one of the newest attractions in Arlington’s Entertainment District. If the stunning architecture of the museum doesn’t take your breath away, the stories of heroism showcased inside surely will. Unlike most museums, this one is far more than a collection of artifacts; it’s the story of the people who rose to the challenge when faced with life and death circumstances.
Arlington is proud to be the home of the National Medal of Honor Museum, which held its grand opening on March 22. The celebration included a former President (George W. Bush), plus many living Medal of Honor recipients, culminating in a grand fireworks finale. The museum began welcoming the public on March 25. If you haven’t been to tour it yet, put a special visit on your to-do list.
The National Medal of Honor Museum serves as a national monument and houses the Griffin Institute. The aim is to preserve the history of the highest military decoration awarded for valor in combat. The landmark commemorates the “historical thread of sacrifice, patriotism, and courage that connects the United States military service past and present,” they say. The museum tells the stories of Medal of Honor recipients in an interactive space, hoping to “inspire visitors to recognize the potential for the extraordinary that resides in us all.”
The National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute brings to life the core values inherent in our country’s highest military honor. The Institute focuses on education in classrooms, boardrooms, and communities around the country. It’s on a mission to inspire.
The five-acre complex is a sight to behold. Five concrete mega-columns (representing the five branches of the US military) support the museum itself. It hovers about 40 feet off the ground. Simply stunning.
The 102,000 square-foot landmark building was designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects. While the Uruguayan-born architect died in 2023, his New York-based architecture firm lives on.
“The Museum’s architectural design symbolizes both the weight of responsibility carried by Medal of Honor recipients,” according to the firm.
The centerpiece of the Museum is a metal-clad 200-foot by 200-foot box. As you enter the structure from its open-air courtyard. Called the Rotunda of Honor, it rests underneath the box. You’ll see two swirling staircases leading your eye to the central oculus, “introducing a dramatic source of natural light to the core of the composition.”
As you enter the lobby, you’re greeted by The Ring of Valor. It is a continuous circular surface, overhead, inscribed with the names of every Medal of Honor recipient, with space to add more heroes in the future.
Visitors reach the main exhibition gallery via the spiral staircases or by the glass elevator. Once you reach the orientation gallery for a brief overview of the history of the Medal of Honor and its recipients, you’ll be free to explore the interactive museum, including motion-activated screens bringing stories to life.
For first-time visitors, a Kleenex box will be pointed out to you in the orientation gallery before the eight-minute video. Go ahead and grab a couple ― it’s a very moving introduction.
The museum unfolds the stories of individual Medal of Honor recipients, exploring their personal histories and the military campaigns they were engaged in. These artifacts bring them to life and paint a full picture of what led them to the day they faced a choice, and chose others above themselves.
These are by no means the only heroes in our military ― just the chosen few who exemplify that self-sacrificial drive in the face of a terrible situation.
“You have never lived, till you almost died. And it is us veterans, especially the wounded, that pray for peace most of all. Because we have to suffer the wounds of war,” said Medal of Honor recipient Roy Benavidez.
The Medal of Honor Museum does not glorify war. Far from it. Bravery is honored, but the fact that war is horrific is never diminished here. No attempt is made to gloss over the horrors of war and the lasting effects that veterans carry with them for a lifetime.
One example is the story of Texas-born Audie Murphy, who was considered America’s most decorated soldier of World War II. He became an actor, starring in over 40 movies, adding to his fame. But Murphy struggled with combat trauma and championed the cause of veteran mental health until he died in 1971.
“War is horrifying, it’s not glorifying,” said Gary Wetzel, who was a Vietnam veteran.
For many, the Medal of Honor is a heavyweight ― a reminder of those who were lost, and a feeling of not being worthy to carry the honor.
“Even though they put it around your neck, and they call you a Recipient, you still have to earn [the Medal] ― every day,” said Florent Groberg, who lost four members of his team in Afghanistan.
A lot is going on in Arlington, especially this year, from the Rangers to the Cowboys, and FIFA World Cup soccer matches to Formula 1 racing. There’s a lot to see and do in the area, and so many world-class museums to explore. Whether you are local or a tourist ― you should make it a point to visit the National Medal of Honor Museum when in Arlington.
