Exciting News for Mount Pleasant: A New Medal of Honor Center on the Horizon!
Mount Pleasant, S.C. is buzzing with excitement as plans to build a Medal of Honor Center take shape! Picture a vibrant new space dedicated to honoring the bravery and sacrifices of our nation’s heroes while also guiding the future generation. The Medal of Honor Center Foundation is working hard to raise the necessary funds for this inspiring project, which aims to create a leadership and training facility right in the heart of the Lowcountry.
What’s in Store at the New Center?
This impressive center is set to span an enormous 50,000 square feet, serving as both a training center and a visitor attraction. It will be a home to the values that the Medal of Honor represents: courage, integrity, commitment, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism. It aims to bring people together, especially the youth, to instill in them a sense of pride and understanding about what it means to be American.
A Call to Action from Our Heroes
David Bellavia, one of the brave Medal of Honor recipients, emphasizes the importance of the center, stating, “Now more than ever bringing people together- especially young people- showing them the values of this country; and no matter what happens in three weeks we’re still America.” He reminds us all that organizations like this help foster pride in our community and our nation.
Leroy Petry, another recipient, shared how leadership has played a significant role in shaping his journey. Petry explained, “I was blessed to have great leadership in the military and there’s great leadership out there in the civilian world. What we’re trying to do is bridge the two together and give that to the people trying to do better.”
A Bright Future for the Next Generation
It’s heartwarming to hear these veterans passionately advocating for the youth of today. They believe in this generation and want to provide them with all the tools they need to thrive. Bellavia passionately stated, “Everyone is beating on this generation’s kids, they’re young, they’re irresponsible: they’re going to save the world. Our generation, Gen X, they said, ‘they’re couch potatoes’ and look what we did after the towers fell, we deployed for 20 years of war.” He makes a compelling argument that today’s youth will rise to the occasion, just as they did.
Support from the Community Needed
Mike Thorton, a Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient, is leading the charge in the community to support this fantastic initiative. He understands the real cost of freedom, stating, “Freedom is not free, freedom is written in the blood. I’ve been wounded 18 times myself. Please help us raise this money for this learning center to teach our children what this country is all about.”
The projected cost of the project is around $75 million, and the foundation is actively seeking donations to help make this vision a reality. Every bit of support matters!
How You Can Help
The community’s involvement will be crucial to the success of this initiative. If you’re looking for an opportunity to contribute and make a difference, keep an eye out for fundraising events or opportunities to donate directly to the Medal of Honor Center Foundation.
In conclusion, the proposed Medal of Honor Center in Mount Pleasant is not just a building; it represents hope, inspiration, and education for generations to come. It’s a chance to connect our history with the present, ensuring that the courage and values displayed by our heroes live on in the hearts of those who will take our place in the world.
