New museum honors America's greatest heroes. We need their inspiration now. | Opinion
We live in an era of rapid change and complex challenges, but the principles embedded in the Medal of Honor stand firm.
The Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award for valor in combat, is more than an accolade. It is a testament to the values that define this great country.
Courage and sacrifice, commitment and integrity, citizenship and patriotism − these are not just words but are the foundation upon which America stands. These values are embodied by Medal of Honor recipients, whose heroic deeds remind us of what it truly means to serve a cause greater than oneself.
The National Medal of Honor Museum, which will open to the public on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas, will ensure that those who have earned the Medal of Honor and the ideals they embody are remembered and carried forward, showing that service to others and devotion to these principles are not confined to the battlefield, but can be expressed in communities, classrooms and boardrooms around the world.
For my family and me, this project is deeply personal. The Jones family has always believed in honoring those who serve, and we have been proud to support the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation every step of the way. Recognizing Medal of Honor recipients and the museum during our annual Salute to Service Week is a highlight of the season for myself, my family, our players, cheerleaders and the entire Dallas Cowboys organization.
America needs courage and sacrifice now
As the museum opens its doors to the public this week, I can’t think of a more important time for it to happen. We live in an era of rapid change and complex challenges, but the principles embedded in the Medal of Honor stand firm.
Courage is about stepping up when it matters most, facing adversity head-on and showing grit and determination no matter the challenge. Sacrifice reminds us that creating a better future often demands putting our neighbors − our fellow Americans − before ourselves. Commitment and integrity ensure that our actions are rooted in fairness and dedication to the greater good. And citizenship and patriotism bind us together, even in moments of hardship and uncertainty.
These ideals must be preserved and shared. The National Medal of Honor Museum ensures that these values will remain vibrant and relevant, inspiring generations to embrace their own capacity for bravery, integrity, selflessness and love of country in their everyday life.
Medal of Honor recipients take their dedication to service seriously, carrying the values represented by the medal from military service into civilian life. This museum allows that commitment to endure by sharing the stories of recipients so they may continue to inspire generations of Americans.
Every American can serve our nation
Although the museum preserves their individual narratives as service members who fought for America, it also highlights their contributions as citizens. In doing so, the National Medal of Honor Museum reminds Americans, especially our children and grandchildren, that service to one’s country doesn’t stop when the uniform comes off.
Just like in football, success in life is not just about individual effort. Rather, it is about teamwork, leadership and dedicating yourself to a cause greater than any one person – and no one better demonstrates that better than Medal of Honor recipients.
The establishment of this museum is an invitation to all Americans to reflect on and put into action the values that define us as a nation, to learn from the stories of those who have answered the call of duty, and to recommit ourselves to building a better tomorrow.
The principles represented by the Medal of Honor are not confined to the battlefield. These are values that each American can strive to uphold in his or her daily life.
Jerry Jones is the owner, president and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys.