Site for honored soldiers grows

Medal of Honor museum plans add-on, upgrade

The Associated Press

MOUNT PLEASANT - The museum features exhibits to some of the country's bravest soldiers, but many tourists don't even know it exists.

The Congressional Medal of Honor Museum is on the hangar deck of the aircraft carrier Yorktown, one of South Carolina's biggest tourism attractions. But, according to a College of Charleston study, a large majority of the 241,000 annual visitors to Patriots Point do not know about the museum.

So, to raise its profile, Mount Pleasant Mayor Harry Hallman is leading an effort to renovate and expand the museum.

The plan is to add 900 square feet to the 1,600-square-foot museum. The expansion will include a new entrance, a 16-foot Wall of Honor with the names of 3,400 medal recipients. It also would add new sound and lighting effects and improved media and interactive presentations.

Now, the museum primarily consists of walls of plaques honoring soldiers.

"One of the missions of the Medal of Honor Society is to educate our youth," said Gary Littrell, of St. Pete Beach, Fla., who is the president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. "We want every young man and woman who leaves our museum to leave with a story."

Society officials say there is a sense of urgency to improving the museum because the average age of living medal recipients is 73. They say the improvements should be made within their lifetime.

So far, $900,000 has been raised for the $1.5 million facility. Supporters hope to open the new facility in the spring.

"Our children, grandchildren and those who will come after them must learn of the deeds of these very common Americans," Hallman said. "Many gave their lives so that we can enjoy the freedom and prosperity we have. You cannot be a great and sustaining nation without sacrifice. Future generations must understand this if this nation is to survive."