Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center

Join us on July 4, 2026, as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday and honor those whose service helped shape our nation.

The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center is proud to host our Bricks of Honor Ceremony, recognizing the individuals whose names and legacies are permanently commemorated in our plaza. We are honored to welcome Major General (USA-R) Tommy H. Baker, Commissioner of Tennessee Veterans Services, as our guest speaker for this special occasion.

As America marks 250 years of history, freedom, and sacrifice, we invite our community to gather with us in remembrance, gratitude, and celebration.

Saturday, July 4, 2026
11:00 AM
National Medal of Honor Heritage Center

Buy a brick to honor someone who made an impact on your life here: https://www.mohhc.org/bricks-of-honor/

What a beautiful Saturday morning in Chattanooga. As the sun rises over the Tennessee River and visitors begin making their way through downtown, we’re excited to welcome both tourists and locals to the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.

This year carries special significance as America approaches its 250th anniversary. It is a moment to reflect on the people, principles, and sacrifices that have shaped our nation over two and a half centuries. Here at the Heritage Center, those stories come to life through the experiences of Medal of Honor recipients whose courage, commitment, and service continue to inspire generations.

Whether you’re a Chattanooga resident exploring your hometown or a traveler discovering the Scenic City for the first time, we invite you to spend part of your weekend with us. Walk through the exhibits, learn about extraordinary Americans, and connect with the values that have helped define our nation since its founding.

As we begin commemorating 250 years of American history, we’re proud to provide a place where visitors can celebrate not only the heroes who earned our nation’s highest military honor, but also the enduring ideals they represent.

We look forward to seeing you today and sharing in the celebration of America’s past, present, and future. Happy Saturday, Chattanooga. 🇺🇸

Get tickets online here: mohhc.org

Sacrifice.

It is one of the six core values represented throughout the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. It is also one of the hardest to fully understand until you see it in action.

For Medal of Honor recipients, sacrifice often meant placing the lives of others above their own. It meant accepting extraordinary risk, enduring hardship, and, in many cases, giving everything in service to their fellow Americans.

As we observe National Military Appreciation Month, we are reminded that sacrifice is not limited to the battlefield. It is carried by service members, veterans, military families, and loved ones who answer the call to serve our nation.

Their sacrifices help preserve the freedoms we enjoy every day.

This National Military Appreciation Month we invite you to visit the Heritage Center and reflect on the stories of those whose courage and selflessness continue to inspire generations.

www.mohhc.org

The Vietnam War remains one of the most complex and costly conflicts in American history. Between 1955 and 1975, more than 2.7 million Americans served in Vietnam, facing difficult conditions, uncertain objectives, and an enemy often hidden within dense jungles and rugged terrain.

The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center’s Vietnam War exhibit explores the courage displayed during this challenging chapter of American history. During and after the conflict, 266 Medals of Honor were awarded, with 156 presented posthumously—a sobering reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by those who served.

Through photographs, personal stories, and historical artifacts, the exhibit highlights acts of valor performed under some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable. These stories transcend politics and focus on the character, selflessness, and commitment of individuals who placed the lives of others above their own.

As visitors move through the exhibit, they are invited to reflect not only on the events of the Vietnam War, but also on the enduring values of courage and service that define Medal of Honor recipients across every generation. Their stories continue to inspire and challenge us to consider what it means to answer a call greater than oneself.

We'll see you again on Friday, June 5th, for America 250 The Spirit of Service with our very special guest and Medal of Honor Recipient, Dwight Birdwell.

Heritage Center CEO Tom Mundell had the privilege of performing the ceremonial coin toss during Military Appreciation Night at the Chattanooga Red Wolves match against Charlotte Independence.

For the occasion, the coin used was the challenge coin honoring the Heritage Center’s namesake, Medal of Honor Recipient Charles H. Coolidge.

It was a fitting way to recognize military service and connect the evening’s celebration with the legacy of one of America’s most distinguished veterans.

Today, the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center joins Americans across the nation in mourning the loss of our friend, Medal of Honor Recipient Colonel Bruce "Snake" Crandall (USA, Ret). Colonel Crandall was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam. Time and again, he flew his helicopter through intense enemy fire to deliver critical supplies and evacuate wounded soldiers, fully aware that each mission could be his last. His unwavering devotion to his fellow servicemen embodied the very highest ideals of military service.

It was a privilege to welcome Colonel Crandall to the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration and spend time with him discussing Vietnam, his good-natured rivalry with fellow Medal of Honor Recipient Patrick Brady over who was the better helicopter pilot, and, most importantly, his deep and abiding love for our country. Those who knew him will remember not only his remarkable courage and service, but also his humility, warmth and sense of humor.

As we honor his life and enduring legacy, we are deeply grateful for the example he set and the inspiration he shared with all who had the privilege of meeting him. Through the power of his Medal of Honor story, his legacy of extraordinary courage, selfless service and unwavering commitment to others will continue to inspire future generations at the Heritage Center for years to come.

Rest easy, Colonel Crandall. Your service will never be forgotten, and a grateful nation will forever remember your sacrifice.

A member of the Cherokee Nation, Medal of Honor Recipient Birdwell’s life and career reflect a sustained spirit of service. From serving in the military to advancing justice as an attorney, his story is one of unwavering courage and commitment.

On June 5th, join us here at the Heritage Center, and meet MOH Recipient Birdwell. Learn more about his actions in Vietnam, his journey to the Supreme Court of the Cherokee Nation, and how the six core values embodied by the Medal of Honor can serve to guide our nation’s next 250 years.

🗓️ June 5th
⏰ 2pm EDT
🎟️ General admission waved
📍 2 W Aquarium Way Chattanooga, TN