National Medal of Honor Museum and George W. Bush Presidential Center co-host America’s Field Trip contest winners for firsthand look at courage, service, and presidential history
DALLAS — This week, the National Medal of Honor Museum and the George W. Bush Presidential Center co-hosted winners of America’s Field Trip, a nationwide contest put on by America250 and the Congressionally-appointed U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. During their visit to these landmark institutions, students gained an up-close look at courage, service, and leadership through presidential history and the stories of ordinary Americans who did something extraordinary for others.
This year, America’s Field Trip invited elementary, middle, and high school students to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them. Winners of this year’s contest received behind-the-scenes access to iconic historical or cultural sites.
At the National Medal of Honor Museum, students spoke virtually with Medal of Honor Recipient Britt Slabinski, receiving the rare opportunity to hear directly from one of only 65 living recipients of our nation’s highest military award for valor in combat.
Students also toured the Exhibit Deck and participated in immersive activities connecting the stories of Medal of Honor Recipients with the values that have defined the nation these past 250 years: courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, patriotism, and citizenship. Students also experienced Dustoff: Coming to the Rescue, a state-of-the-art virtual reality exhibit simulating the rescue mission that earned Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady his Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. They also took part in View the Vault: A Curator’s Deep Dive, which offered a closer look at artifacts in the Museum’s collections, including personal effects belonging to Medal of Honor Recipients.
“We were very honored to host America’s Field Trip alongside the Bush Center,” said Cory Crowley, Executive Vice President of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. “As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, helping the next generation of Americans understand what it truly means to serve and sacrifice for their country has never been more important. We hope their time at the George W. Bush Presidential Center and the National Medal of Honor Museum sparked a lasting appreciation for America’s history of leadership and service. And their conversation with Medal of Honor Recipient Britt Slabinski gave them something that books can’t: a firsthand look at the values that have carried this country for 250 years — and that lives on in every recipient of the Medal.”
At the George W. Bush Presidential Center — which comprises the George W. Bush Presidential Museum and George W. Bush Institute and houses the George W. Bush Presidential Library — students had front-row seats to the actual White House Situation Room used during President George W. Bush’s administration.
From there, Dr. Pearl Ponce, Director of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, led a tour of the Library’s Collections spaces. Their team selected artifacts that resonated with the award winners’ moving responses to what America means to them. As a part of the National Archives and Records Administration, Dr. Ponce noted that their mission is “to hold, preserve, and share the historical record. As such, we relished the opportunity to introduce these budding historians to the power of objects to tell a story about President Bush’s time in office. Presidential history is a key element in understanding democracy and how the American experiment has evolved over the last 250 years.”
Students further deepened their learning through a tour of artwork on display at the George W. Bush Institute, led by Dana Ayres, Ken Hersh Family Director of the George W. Bush Presidential Museum. The experience culminated with a tour of the Bush Museum, where students delved deep into the American presidency and the consequential period in which President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush served. The expert docent-lead museum tour included a viewing of the September 11 exhibit, a replica of the Oval Office, and an interactive presidential decision-making experience, offering students an inside look at the weight and complexity of decisions made in government, as well as the responsibilities and realities of the American presidency.
“The Bush Center is committed to helping young people better understand our nation’s history, principled leadership, and the responsibilities of being an active citizen,” said Dana Ayres. “We were delighted to host the students of America’s Field Trip and hope they left with a strong understanding of the legacy left from the Bush presidency and are inspired to help write our country’s next chapter.”
The students’ visits to these iconic institutions were tied together by a permanent fixture at the George W. Bush Presidential Museum: a portrait of Medal of Honor Recipient Captain Florent “Flo” Groberg, painted by President Bush himself, who is one of the Museum Foundation’s honorary directors. The painting offers a powerful throughline, connecting Captain Groberg’s story of courage, service, and sacrifice to one of the core values explored at the Bush Center: freedom.
###
About the National Medal of Honor Museum
The National Medal of Honor Museum offers an unforgettable journey through the stories of ordinary people who did something extraordinary in service to others. Located in America’s heartland in Arlington, Texas, the Museum – which was voted as the Best New Museum in America and one of the world’s most beautiful museums – provides an unrivaled visitor experience featuring 31,000 square feet of immersive exhibits, powerful multimedia experiences, and never-before-seen artifacts, chronicling the lives and legacies of those who have received our country’s highest award for valor in combat. A visit to the National Medal of Honor Museum is a meaningful experience that will leave visitors of all ages inspired, proud, and deeply connected to the values that unite us. For more details and to reserve tickets, visit mohmuseum.org.
About the George W. Bush Presidential Center
Located on the SMU campus in Dallas, Texas, the George W. Bush Presidential Center is a nonpartisan institution advancing the timeless values of freedom, opportunity, accountability, and compassion. The Bush Center comprises the George W. Bush Presidential Museum and the George W. Bush Institute, a solution-oriented policy organization focused on ensuring opportunity for all, strengthening democracy, and advancing free societies through policy solutions and public engagement. The Bush Center also houses the George W. Bush Presidential Library, operated by the National Archives and Records Administration, which provides access to official documents and artifacts from the George W. Bush Administration. Learn more about the Bush Center at bushcenter.org and about the Library at georgewbushlibrary.gov.
