Thirteen Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, including Chattanooga's Charles H. Coolidge, are set to attend the grand opening ceremony for the new Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center on Saturday at 10 a.m. at 2 West Aquarium Way.
Medal of Honor recipients due to attend also Include Bennie Adkins, Barney Barnum, Patrick Brady, Gary Beikrich, Kyle Carpenter, Sammy Davis, Charles Hagemeister, Joe Harm, Gary Littrel, James Livingston, Michael Thornton and Matt Williams.
In addition, other military veterans of distinction and rank plan to attend, including 4-Star Generals Paul E. Funk II and Karl Horst.
Numerous local, state and national elected officials to attend include Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, Congressman Diane Black, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger.
The order of ceremony includes:
Procession of the Medal of Honor recipients and their families
Presentation of Colors by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga ROTC Color Guard
National Anthem performed by Medal of Honor Recipient Jim McCloughan
Remarks by a number of dignitaries, Heritage Center Trustees and Medal of Honor recipients, including retired 3-Star General Charles H. Coolidge, Jr.
The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center features·
19,000-square-foot facility with life-sized, dynamic displays designed to educate, engage and inspire visitors with the real-life stories of our nation’s top military heroes.
Exhibit gallery that will change 3-to-5 times a year
First exhibit, “Honoring the Sacrifice: Medals of Honor Through Time,” features the stories of Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War to Vietnam, along with their medals, related artifacts and images.
Classroom and community space for visiting schools and civic groups.
Character Education Program, based on the 6 character traits common to all Medal of Honor Recipients, for further outreach and impact in the community.
Hours:
Saturday, February 22, 1 p.m. – Heritage Center opens for public tours
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, 1-6 p.m.
Tickets are required for admission to tour the Heritage Center and may be purchased online at www.mohhc.org/tickets
Memberships to the Heritage Center are available and will give members priority seating at the grand ceremony event and certain rewards throughout the year.