Winning the National Medal of Honor Museum

One of my favorite Arlington memories is being part of the effort to bring the National Medal of Honor Museum to our city.

It was an extraordinary opportunity, but it was never a foregone conclusion. Arlington was competing with communities across the country, and earning the museum required a tremendous amount of teamwork, creativity and determination. City leaders, community partners and residents came together around a shared belief that Arlington was the right place to preserve and tell the stories of America’s Medal of Honor recipients.

I was proud to help tell Arlington’s story and demonstrate why our city, located in the heart of the nation and known for bringing people together, was uniquely suited for this important responsibility.

Learning that Arlington had been selected was an unforgettable moment. It was more than an economic development success or the arrival of a major national institution. It was a moment that reflected the ambition, spirit and sense of possibility that define Arlington.

Knowing that future generations will come to our city to learn about courage, sacrifice, patriotism and service makes this one of the most meaningful projects I have had the privilege to be part of.