Mission Inspire

The National Medal of Honor Museum has been named one of the World's Most Beautiful Museums by the prestigious Prix Versailles—but its impact reaches far beyond architecture. Host Mo Barrett sits down with Jennifer Surgalski, Chief of Strategy for the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, to discuss the journey from bold vision to internationally recognized institution. Jennifer shares behind...

Before becoming America’s leading WWI ace with 26 aerial victories, Edward “Eddie” Rickenbacker was one of the fastest men in America – competing in 42 races, winning 7, and driving in the first Indianapolis 500. Since Mid-March, the Museum has shared his story in a special exhibit centered around the car he drove in the 1914 Indianapolis 500. Curator Greg Waters talks to Mo Barrett about this ama...

One of the most popular parts of the National Medal of Honor Museum is the “Conversations: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives” exhibit, where guests use innovative technology to interview a virtual Medal of Honor Recipient. During Black History Month celebrations, the Museum is proud to announce the addition of Medal of Honor Recipient Colonel Paris Davis to the Conversations exhibit. Host Mo Ba...

The National Medal of Honor Museum started this year off with a bang, winning the USA TODAY 10BEST 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for Best New Museum. A big part of what makes this Museum award-winning is the phenomenal programming put on every day, including a new tour diving into the architecture of the Museum. Host Mo Barrett talks to Alex Rhue, Senior Vice President of Museum Engagement & Stra...

Host Mo Barrett reflects on a landmark year for the National Medal of Honor Museum before closing out 2025 with the story of Medal of Honor Recipient Tibor Rubin. Held as a POW during the Korean War, Rubin sent a Christmas Card – now in the Museum’s collection – to his brother. His holiday message captures the spirit of both the holiday season and the Medal of Honor.   The National Medal of Honor...

This November, in honor of Military Family Appreciation Month, The Mission Inspire Podcast sits down with the wives and children of Medal of Honor Recipients to hear their advice for military families. From everyday challenges to moments requiring profound strength, they share heartfelt stories that offer comfort and encouragement to military families everywhere – and reminding us that behind ever...

When we think of leadership, we often picture people who command attention, make tough decisions, and guide others through challenge and change. But what truly defines a great leader? And who inspires the leaders we admire most? Host Mo Barrett asked six Medal of Honor Recipients. For them, leadership was forged in the crucible of combat. But their lessons extend far beyond the battlefield – into...

For Medal of Honor Recipients, the path from the battlefield to the White House is anything but straightforward. In this episode, six recipients share the deeply personal stories of the moment they learned they would receive our nation’s highest military honor. Where were they? Who did they tell first? And when the ceremony ended, where did they keep their Medal? Their answers reveal the humanity...

As students and teachers head back to school, the National Medal of Honor Museum is doing the same through a variety of programs designed to bring the stories and values of the Medal of Honor into classrooms across the country. Host Mo Barrett speaks with the educators leading these initiatives, helping students become the best versions of themselves—in the classroom, in their communities, and in...

Greg Waters, Director of Curatorial Affairs, is the man in charge of finding and locating every artifact for each exhibit at the National Medal of Honor Museum. He talks to host Mo Barrett about the worldwide hunt for artifacts and some of his favorite items on display. The National Medal of Honor Museum offers an unforgettable journey through the stories of ordinary people who did something extra...

In Part 1 of a special two-part series, we pulled back the curtain on the Mission to Inspire Spectacular, the show-stopping finale to the National Medal of Honor Museum’s Grand Opening. Now, in Part 2, we dig even deeper, exploring how the values of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism were translated into sound, light, and movement – and what it meant to those behind the scenes to bring heart-pound...

The Grand Opening of the National Medal of Honor Museum required moments that were moving, moments that were uplifting, moments that were spectacular. Capping an unforgettable evening, the Mission to Inspire Spectacular lit up the sky above the Museum in a 360-degree storytelling marvel, featuring fireworks, drones, video, and a variety of musical arrangements. But what does it take to produce suc...

The National Medal of Honor Museum officially opened its doors on March 25 – Medal of Honor Day. Host Mo Barrett was on site for the celebrations and spoke with family members of Medal of Honor Recipients, along with some of the staff who were critical to opening this special place. The Museum is filled with amazing artifacts, immersive exhibits and powerful displays telling stories of ordinary pe...

After three years of construction – and decades of dreams – the National Medal of Honor Museum will open its doors this month. In their actions on the battlefield and beyond, Medal of Honor Recipients embody the values intrinsic to the Medal: citizenship and patriotism, commitment and integrity, courage and sacrifice. And while the Museum will explore all of these values, each of us relates to the...

With just a few weeks to go until the National Medal of Honor Museum’s Grand Opening, host Mo Barrett talks to architect Bassam Komati, the Partner-in-Charge at Rafael Viñoly Architects for the National Medal of Honor Museum, about how the Museum has gone from blueprints to a real building. They discuss how the design has changed throughout construction, how the architecture and exhibits complemen...

The start of the new year is a time to reflect on ways we can improve. As infallible as they may seem, Medal of Honor Recipients are no different. Looking back on their lives, there’s some changes they would have liked to make. Recently, we asked a few Recipients to share the advice they would give to their younger selves. The wisdom they shared about modesty, discipline, gratefulness, and more is...

While we celebrate the wonders of the holidays, our hearts are also heavy with the memories of the five Medal of Honor Recipients who passed away this year. To help us remember these heroes, host Mo Barrett is joined by NMOHMF’s Jenny Page and Kali Martin Schick for a discussion about how the National Medal of Honor Museum is telling their stories and preserving their legacies. Interested in suppo...

Over Veterans Day Weekend, the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation once again proudly partnered with the Dallas Cowboys to publicly recognize and thank Medal of Honor recipients during the Cowboys’ annual Salute to Service game. Charlotte Jones, Dallas Cowboys Chief Brand Officer and Co-Owner and Chairman of the NMOHMF Board of Directors, talked to host Mo Barrett about the importance of tha...

This Courage Conversation with Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Sammy Davis was recorded last fall during a special Veterans Day visit to the National Medal of Honor Museum’s construction site. Known as “the real-life Forrest Gump,” Sgt. Sammy Davis talks to host Mo Barrett about what drove his courage in Vietnam, the advice he gives to students, and his moment of Hollywood stardom. Interested in...

We are just six months out from the grand opening of the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas. To offer an update on construction and preview the grand opening festivities, host Mo Barrett is joined by Chris Cassidy, NMOHMF President and CEO. They discuss the emotions of seeing the Museum come to life, the tremendous support from across the country, and the excitement that is buildin...

This Courage Conversation with Medal of Honor recipient Major Jim Taylor was recorded last fall during a special Veterans Day visit to the National Medal of Honor Museum’s construction site. Major Taylor and host Mo Barrett discuss his path to the Army, his heroism in Vietnam – where he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to rescue wounded men from burning vehicles – and his memorable experie...

Last fall, during a special Veterans Day visit to the National Medal of Honor Museum’s construction site, host Mo Barrett sat down with two incredible women who are each married to a Medal of Honor recipient: Dixie Davis and Kate Williams. The trio discuss the sacrifices made by the families of servicemembers and the tremendous responsibilities they bear, especially those related to Medal of Honor...

This is a special bonus episode featuring a Courage Conversation with Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Major Matt Williams, recorded last fall during a special Veterans Day visit to the National Medal of Honor Museum’s construction site. During a firefight in Afghanistan’s Shok Valley, Williams repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire as he moved up and down a mountain to help evacuate the wounde...

On the latest episode in our March to Grand Opening series, host Mo Barrett sits down with Medal of Honor recipient and NMOHMF Board Member Col. Jack Jacobs, who earned the Medal in Vietnam when he – though injured himself – repeatedly ran across open rice paddies through heavy fire to evacuate the wounded. Col. Jacobs reflects on watching the Museum come to life and shares his reaction to learnin...

This is a special bonus episode featuring a Courage Conversation with Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Major Allan Kellogg, recorded last fall during a special Veterans Day visit to the National Medal of Honor Museum’s construction site. Sgt. Major Kellogg and host Mo Barrett discuss his path to the Marine Corps., his brave, selfless actions in Vietnam, and how he uses humor to process his wartim...