Join Us in Sustaining Our Memorial by making a Donation – click here
 
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Minnesota Hero’s Day Coming Soon!
Saturday, September 14th, 2024
10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Minnesota State Capital and Capital Mall
More info to come, please check back frequently!
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Mission Statement

The Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial is committed to educating and inspiring our youth and future generations with the character virtues and values that our Medal of Honor recipients and veterans leave with us as their legacy.

The existing ‘Promise of Youth’ sculpture that will be an integral element of the Memorial seen in this picture represents the youth of our state, she will be encircled by the new Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial which will create a metaphor inspiring and educating our youth and public with character virtues and values that our recipients and veterans leave with us as their legacy.

CDP

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Character Development Program (CDP)

The Medal of Honor Character Development Program (CDP) is a resource designed by teachers to provide students at grade level K-12 with opportunities to explore the important concepts of courage, commitment, sacrifice, patriotism, integrity and citizenship and how these values can be exemplified in daily life.

With the opportunity to see positive role models, the depth and breadth of our students’ insight and reflection after interacting with these materials teaches how we can all choose to be our personal best.

As a proud advocate of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, we hold this resource and opportunity for our youth in the highest regard.

To date we have helped accomplish the following:

  • Completed 7 successful CDP teacher training sessions
  • 18 school visits by one or more Medal of Honor recipients
  • Helped create and launch the new national Elementary CDP, including 2 teacher writing workshops
  • Over 300 teachers trained in the state from 80+ schools and districts
  • Passed legislation amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.232, naming the MOH CDP as one the preferred character education programs in Minnesota.

For more information on the CDP please visit: https://www.cmohs.org/lessons/overview

Memorial Site

MN Medal of Honor Memorial was dedicated on September 22, 2022, with the following Medal of Honor Recipients  in attendance: 
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Dedication Videos

Design Provided by HGA

Location

The Memorial was approved by the 2016 Minnesota Legislature to be constructed under the Veteran’s Services Building at the main entrance of the Mall in prominent view of the Capitol. The Memorial design provides symbolic ties to the Medal itself and also the character virtues and values Medal of Honor recipients leave as their legacy to our youth. The Memorial will honor Medal of Honor and Medal of Valor recipients, veterans, our youth, and future generations.

In 1931, Cass Gilbert’s third and last sketch of the approach to the Capitol Building featured a tall spire reflecting Gilbert’s vision and desire that there be a memorial tribute to veterans at the far south end of the Capitol Mall. After WWII, a decision was made to honor veterans with a building to provide necessary military veteran services, that now also provides a visual backdrop at the south end of the Capitol Mall. It is there that there is another circle of memorials and tributes to military veterans and wars, not unlike the circle of monuments that surround in close proximity the Capital Building. Also since WWII, a Court of Honor tribute to veterans has been added forming a circular area on the mall north of the Veteran Services Building with most recently a WWII War Memorial in the middle of that area. Also more recently and either side of the Court of Honor a Vietnam and Korean Memorial and a Military Family Tribute have been added.

Shortly after WWII a reflecting pool and a statute within the pool was built immediately north of the Veteran Services Building that is referred to as the Promise of Youth. The monument has not generally been understood and has been discredited for not being relevant to veteran recognition or issues. Additionally, the Promise of Youth monument does not and has not functioned as intended as a reflecting pool nor does the mechanical statute operate.

The Medal of Honor Memorial would occupy and be confined to the footprint of the existing reflecting pool and again function as originally intended as a functioning reflecting pool and operating mechanical statute along with being a Medal of Honor Memorial. A Medal of Honor Memorial within the footprint of the Promise of Youth reflecting pool would clearly and meaningfully convey the intended function of the Promise of Youth element that veterans in securing and maintaining our rights and freedoms have provided our youth with the means to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of all Americans.

A Medal of Honor Memorial located at the south end of the mall and visibly in full view from the Capital Building would appropriately honor the most admired and respected of all of our veterans. The honorable service and sacrifice of the individual Minnesota veteran would also be reflective in varying degrees of the character attributes and actions of the Medal of Honor recipients and all recipients of medals of valor.

Who is Cass Gilbert?

Historical Significance- Why Minnesota?

Minnesotans have faithfully served and sacrificed in all our nation’s wars. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Minnesota was the first state to offer soldiers to President Lincoln in defense of the Union. To the present day, Minnesotans have served our state and country with great distinction including awards of our Nation’s greatest honor, the Medal of Honor. A total of 72 Minnesotans has been awarded the Medal of Honor.

Minnesotans have been awarded Medals of Honor in all wars and conflicts from the Civil War through Vietnam. Of the 72 Minnesotans awarded the Medal of Honor, 3 were awarded for actions not during a time of war including Charles Lindbergh, who made the first plane flight across the Atlantic to France in 1927.

On the Minnesota State Capitol grounds, veterans are honored with memorials according to the wars in which they served. However, the Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial is the first memorial to recognize the valor of the individual veteran exemplified by the Minnesota Medal of Honor recipients.

2013 marked the 150th anniversary of the presentation of the first Medal of Honor by President Lincoln. It was in 1864 that the first Minnesotan was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Legislation

May 31st, 2017: The Omnibus Legacy Finance bill allocating $250,000 for the Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial was passed by the Minnesota House and Senate along with Governor Dayton’s signature on May 31st, 2017.

The Memorial Committee along with the Capitol Area Architectural Planning Board and state officials had agreed that the State of Minnesota needed to show that they too are invested into this bi-partisan project. The State agreed and would like to partner in this community engagement endeavor with local sponsors to show a unified front and to promote character statewide.

Senator Carla Nelson, Bruce Anderson, Richard Cohen and Foung Hawj (SF 566) brought the bill to the Senate and Representative, Bob Dettmer, Bob Gunther, Leon Lillie and Mary Murphy (HF707)  brought the bill to the House with identical language. It reads as the following:

A bill for an act relating to arts and cultural heritage; appropriating money for Medal of Honor commemorative memorial.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. APPROPRIATION; MINNESOTA MEDAL OF HONOR COMMEMORATIVE MEMORIAL.

$250,000 in the fiscal year 2018 is appropriated from the arts and cultural heritage fund to the commissioner of administration to complete design and construction of a memorial in the Capitol area to honor all Minnesota Medal of Honor recipients. This appropriation is not available until the commissioner determines that at least $250,000 is committed to the project from nonstate sources, and there are sufficient resources to complete the project, as required in Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.502, and Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 13, section 64.

Sponsors & Advocates

Thank You

This multi-generational Memorial’s mission to leave an enduring imprint on our state’s history and future would not be possible without the support and involvement of our sponsors.

This multi-generational Memorial’s mission to leave an enduring imprint on our state’s history and future would not be possible without the support and involvement of our sponsors.

                                       

GET IN TOUCH WITH US, WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO BE OUR PARTNER IN THIS COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY INITIATIVE!

Please call or email us!

(651) 332-9416

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Make a Donation

-All donations are tax deductible.
-All donors are acknowledged and provided statements for tax purposes.
-All contributions of $500-$999 or more will be offered a numbered and signed 16″x 20″ limited edition print of the Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial by award-winning artist Randall Raduenz (includes shipping).
9400VetsMem_cmyk_300dpi_11X16xx-Revised-768x504.jpg (12″x 16″ image area)
– All contributions of $1,000-$1,999 will receive a framed, numbered and signed 16″x 20″ limited edition print of the Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial by award-winning artist Randall Raduenz (includes shipping).
– Contributions of $2,000 or more please contact us.
– Check donations: Should be made payable to Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial, Box 2082, Stillwater, MN 55082.
– Credit card donations: Secure debit or credit card donations may be made through PayPal
The Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial is a Minnesota non-profit corporation with IRS 501c3 and EIN Numbers upon request.Questions please email us: info@mnmohmem.org

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ADVOCATES

“On October 3rd, 2016 I participated in the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial. That event was exceptional and I was proud to be a part of it along with currently serving on the Honorary Board for the Memorial. Building a memorial is an undertaking but there are many people helping to promote character and honor the veterans and recipients of the great State of Minnesota. On behalf of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, we appreciate the Memorial’s dedication to the youth with the Character Development Program.”

TOM KELLY
Medal of Honor recipient

“The Twin Cities Medal of Honor Convention was a big event in the State of Minnesota last October. It was great to be a part of it and the Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial Ground Breaking Ceremony on October 3rd. Most people don’t see the amount of effort that everyone who is helping to build the Medal of Honor Memorial, it is a big thing and I believe we have to get as many people behind it. To date, the Memorial Board have had help with those who testified on committees, including testimony to and from the Capitol Area Architectural Planning Board along with passing this recent legislation. Working with the State of Minnesota we are thankful that the State approved Bill 707, as this is something that people will come to from across the state, it is an educational Memorial that provides insight into the Medal of Honor educational program, the Character Development Program. This Memorial ties together so many aspects to pay honor and respect to our recipients and veterans while teaching our youth. It was an honor to author the legislation and to work it through the committee process.”

BOB DETTMER
MN Representativ

MOH RECIPIENTS

MINNESOTA MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS

72 Medals of Honor are Accredited to Minnesota, “For the Conspicuous Gallantry and Intrepidity in Action at the Risk of Life Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.”

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Minnesota’s last living Medal of Honor recipient Leo Thorsness burial service with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on February 14th 2018.

Watch Fox News Video

See Minnesota Governor’s Proclamation  Honoring Leo Thorsness 

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*Minnesota’s Captain Charles A. Lindbergh received the Medal of Honor by special Congressional Action.

*During World War I, Louis Cukela received two Medals of Honor (one for Navy and one Army award) for the same action during the Battle of Soissons.

Click on the recipient below for bio*

Albee, George Emerson Bio July ’16
Allen, James Bio July ’16
Barrick, Jesse T. Bio July ’16
Bell, Harry Bio July ’16
Bianchi, Willibald C. Bio July ’16
Blanchfield, Michael Reinert Bio July ’16
Boehler, Otto Bio July ’16
Burger. Joseph Bio July ’16
Burkard, Oscar R.-Bio July ’16
Byrne, Denis Bio July ’16
Campbell, James Bio Final July ’16
Catlin, Albertus W. Catlin Bio July ’16
Chandler, Stephen E. Bio July ’16
Cilley, Clinton A. Bio July ’16
Clark, William A. Bio July ’16
Colalillo, Michael Bio June ’16
Courtney, Henry Bio June ’16
Cukela, Louis Bio June ’16
Davis, Charles P Bio
Davis, Raymond E. Bio July ’16
Dyer, Jesse Farley Bio Final July ’16
Flannigan James Bio June ’16
Fleming, Richard Eugene Bio July ’16
Frantz, Joseph Bio July ’16
Gere. Thomas Parke Bio June ’16 2
Grant, Lewis Addison Bio June ’16
Hanna, Milton Bio June ’16
Hauge, Louis Jr. Bio July ’16 docx
Hawks, Lloyd C. Bio June ’16
Hawthorne, Harry LeRoy Bio July ’16
Holmes, Lovilo N. Bio July ’16
Huggins, Eli L. Bio July ’16
John Upshur Dennis Bio June ’16
Kelley, Andrew John Bio July ’16
Kraus, Richard E. Bio July ’16
LaBelle, James D. Bio July ’16
Lindbergh, Charles A. Bio July ’16
Mallon, George Henry Original bio
May,William C. Bio July ’16 docx
McCornack, Andrew Bio July ’16
McKay, Charles Wesley Bio July ’16
McMillan, Albert W. Bio July ’16
Merritt, John G. Bio July ’16
Montrose, Charles H. June ’16
Morgan, George H. Bio July ’16
Nelson, Oscar F. Bio July ’16
O’Brien, Henry Bio July ’16
Olson, Arlo Laverne Bio June ’16
Olson, Kenneth Bio July ’16
Pay, Byron Edward Original Bio
Phillips, Samuel D Bio July ’16
Pickle, Alonzo H. Bio Final ’16
Pruden, Robert J. Bio Final June ’16
Rabel, Laszlo Bio July ’16
Reed, Axel Hayford Bio June ’16
Robinson, Thomas-Interim 1865-1870 Bio
Rud, George William July ’16
Rudolph Sr., Donald Eugene June ’16
Schmidt, William Bio July ’16
Shepard, Dr. Irwin Bio June ’16
Sherman, Marshall Bio July ’16
Sorenson, Richard Bio July ’16
Taylor, Wilbur Bio July ’16
Thorsness,, Leo Bio August ’16
Vale John Bio June ’16
Van Valkenburgh, Franklin Bio July ’16
Vlug, Dirk Bio July ’16
Wayrynen, Dale Eugene Bio July ’16
Welch, Charles Henry Bio Final
Wilson, William Othello Bio August ’16
Wold, Nels T. Bio June ’16
Wright, Samuel Bio June ’16

*Compiled by the Members of the Minnesota State Society Daughters of the American Revolution

To order a full book version see amazon.com®

Board

 Memorial Board

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Honorary Board

Media

About the Medal of Honor Memorial and the Promise of Youth 1/31/20

Producer/Moderator Shannon Loehrke – MN Senate Media Services 

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Memorial Ground Breaking 10/3/16

What an honor it was to have the Ground Breaking Event on the Capitol Mall on October 3rd, 2016. A very special thank you to all who helped contribute to this truly remarkable day. A special thank you to those who were a part of our program: Prelude: The Red Bull Band – 34th Infantry Division Narrator & Announcement of the Official Party: Col. Anthony Polashek Bugle Call “To the Colors”: Bill Crowder National Anthem: Soloist, Lt. Col. Tim Swanson (Ret) Flyover of C130’s: 934th Airlift Wing Invocation: Chaplain, Col. Gen Bloomstrom (Ret) Welcome Speaker: Commandant of Ceremony, MG Larry Shellito (Ret) Address: Adjutant General, MG Richard C. Nash Address: Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the United States of AmericaSociety President, Capt. Thomas Kelley (Ret) Address: Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial Board Member, Tiffany Kovaleski Address: Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial Chairman, John Kraemer Ceremonial Cannon Firing: New Ulm Battery God Bless America: Soloist, Lt. Col. Tim Swanson (Ret) Flyover: Army Air Corps Armed Forces Medley: The Red Bull Band – 34th Infantry Division Benediction: Chaplain, Col. Gen Bloomstrom (Ret) Bugle call “Retreat”: Bill Crowder And a very special thank you to Col. Scotty Lene, Capt. Katherine Jenrette, Jerry Kyzer, Tim Wullmoth and everyone at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs for all of their hard work helping run all of the elements behind the scene. The Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial also partnered with the Daughters of the American Revolution National Headquarters in MN to compile a book of all MN Medal of Honor recipients. This event would not be possible without the Medal of Honor Convention Twin Cities. We sincerely want to thank them for their participation and support, what a spectacular week it was to have our nation’s greatest heroes here in the great State of Minnesota!

See all photo’s on our   page!

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Publications

Medal of Honor recipient helps educators with character development (Independant News 6/2/17)

Minnesota Medal of Honor Recipient Leo K. Thorsness Passes Away at 85 (Star Tribune 5/5/17)

Minnesota gets Medal of Honor Memorial (Fox-9 10/3/16)

A new Medal of Honor Memorial to be dedicated at State Capito MPR News 10/3/16)

05_-JC-PHOTO-Logo-2016-Smalllllll.pngJonathan Charpentier is the Memorial’s Official Photographer. For anyone looking for an amazing photographer, we highly recommend him! (612) 670-2264 or jc@jonathancharpentier.com.