We should hope to host museum honoring heroes

The National Medal of Honor is our nation’s most prestigious military decoration, awarded to those who have distinguished themselves at the highest level. The Medal of Honor represents courage, patriotism, sacrifice and integrity. The medal, which has been awarded to 3,505 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines since President Abraham Lincoln signed it into law, recognizes those heroes who have put service above self in the name of the freedoms we all enjoy today.

This week, the National Medal of Honor Foundation will name one of two cities the future home of the National Medal of Honor Museum. Denver could not be prouder to be a finalist to become home to such an esteemed institution. And, we could not be more certain that there is no better, more fitting place than Denver to honor our national heroes.

Throughout history, people have honored their heroes atop great heights. The Mile High City, which sits 5,280 feet above sea level — with its expansive skies and majestic Rocky Mountains — offers an unmatched and fitting context for the National Medal of Honor Museum. We are at the heart of our great nation — a magnetic center of commerce, culture and natural beauty — attracting visitors from all corners of our country andaroundtheworld.

The National Medal of Honor Museum would create a place of learning that engages us, unites us, reinforces our country’s patriotic bonds, preserves our nation’s stories, and embraces the promise of the future. A landmark for our great nation and a significant cultural asset for Denver that will benefit generations to come.

We are proud to join with Rob Cohen, chairman and CEO of IMA Financial; Betsy and Terry Considine; Pete Coors, vice chairman of Molson Coors; Jerry Glick, CEO of Columbia Group LLLP; Walter Isenberg, president & CEO of Sage Hospitality; Andy Love, a retired major general of the U.S. Air Force; Peyton and Ashley Manning; Jim Martin, president and CEO of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment; Lanny and Sharon Martin of Platte River Equity; Jeff S. Potter, the founder and CEO of Manifest; and Susan C. Smith, president of The Colorado Air National Guard Legacy Foundation.

And to join with you, the people of Colorado, to welcome the National Medal of Honor Museum to our community.

If our Mile High City were to be selected for the home of this national treasure, it would be a privilege to be able to honor those great warriors, and it would be another opportunity to continue the Centennial State’s long and proud history of supporting our women and men in uniform. Most importantly it would create a place of learning that engages visitors, reinforces our country’s patriotic bonds, preserves many of our nation’s most important stories and embraces the promise of the future. The Museum will be a national landmark and a significant cultural asset for Denver that will benefit generations to come.

This is a great time to be in this great city, and there is no better time for our city to become home to such a distinguished museum. As a community, we should be proud to be a finalist city, and we should be hopeful that we could be so fortunate to become home to the National Medal of Honor Museum. Such a distinguished museum would be a testament to our thriving economy and vibrant culture, our strength as a national tourism destination, a nod to Colorado’s strong military ties and the ultimate honor for our city and state.