Chattanooga’s place in history as the birthplace of the Medal of Honor – the nation’s highest award for military valor in action – will be a central focus of the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration.
The event, an annual gathering of all living Medal of Honor recipients, will be hosted by the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, and feature a series of public and private events starting Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025,
The celebration will conclude with the highly-anticipated Patriot Award Gala Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
“Chattanooga is widely known for its rich military history and ability to honor the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform,” says Colonel Frank Hughes, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired) and chairman of the board of trustees for the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.
“We are truly honored to host the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration. This weeklong event will provide our community with a unique opportunity to immerse recipients in the history of Chattanooga and its historical connections to Medal of Honor, have them visit iconic Chattanooga landmarks and provide countless opportunities for recipients to share their powerful stories of courage, sacrifice and patriotism with our community.”
This annual gathering is one of our country’s most prestigious and patriotic events. During their time in Chattanooga, recipients and their families will have an opportunity to reunite with each other and share their heroic stories of patriotism, citizenship, courage, integrity, sacrifice and commitment with local students, veterans, active-duty military and community members.
More importantly, the event will allow recipients to make a lasting impact on the Greater Chattanooga community for years to come.
The Heritage Center will be releasing additional details on the various events and activities being planned for the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration in the coming months.
“We look forward to bringing the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and all living Medal of Honor recipients back to the place where it all began April 12, 1862, with Andrews’ Raid and the Great Locomotive Chase,” says General BB Bell, U.S. Army (Retired) and chairman of the National Advisory Board for the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.
“It’s fitting that the 2025 Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention is coming home to the birthplace of the nation’s highest military honor,” Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp says. “We are looking forward to celebrating the legacy of our hometown heroes Larry Taylor and Charles Coolidge as we welcome American heroes from across the country to Hamilton County.”
“I believe that Chattanooga is the most patriotic city in America, which is just one reason we’re so excited to host this event,” says Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. “As the son and grandson of Army veterans, I’m proud of Chattanooga’s military tradition and our special connection to the Medal of Honor. I know the recipients will feel right at home here, and they’ll get a warm welcome from every Chattanoogan they meet.”
The Heritage Center announced the co-chairs for the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration will be Linda Moss Mines and Lynda Minks Hood, with Chip and Cindy Howalt serving as the honorary chairs.
Members of the Chattanooga Leadership Committee will be traveling to San Antonio in early October to attend the 2024 Medal of Honor Celebration where they will accept the official Congressional Medal of Honor Society flag and bring it back to Chattanooga for a special flag raising ceremony at the Heritage Center. This ceremony begins a yearlong series of events and activities culminating in the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration and Patriot Gala.
To date, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to 3,519 service members who went above and beyond the call of duty, including 33 recipients associated with the state of Tennessee.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Vince Butler at (423) 877-2525 or [email protected].
Information: www.MOHHC.org/Celebration