General Dynamics Corporation, one of the Army’s most important industrial partners and one of the first major investors in the National Army Museum’s Capital Campaign, recently increased its original unrestricted $1 million gift to a $5 million sponsorship of the Museum’s Wall of Honor.
In announcing the company’s $4 million increase at the recent 2014 Industry and Army Leadership Reception in Arlington, Va., LTG David K. Heebner (USA-Ret.), Executive Vice President for Information Systems and Technology, stressed the importance of General Dynamics’ longstanding and highly valued association with the Army and the corporation’s all-in desire to see the Museum begin construction as soon as possible.
“Along with many of you here tonight who have contributed generously to a common objective, we at General Dynamics are fully committed to the Museum project. We hope this, our most recent gift, demonstrates General Dynamics’ resolve to help advance the Museum’s capital campaign into its construction phase.”
General William W. Hartzog (USA-Ret.), Army Historical Foundation President, thanked General Dynamics. Hartzog told Heebner and other corporate and individual donors present that an additional $33 million is still needed to trigger the release of Congressional funds, already authorized and appropriated, to pay for groundbreaking and site preparation..
David S. Lewis, Chief Development Officer for the Capital Campaign, said General Dynamics selected sponsorship of the Wall of Honor, one of the most iconic displays that will grace the Museum.
According to Lewis, the Wall of Honor is a dramatic 42’ x 26’ black granite wall solemnly engraved with the battle streamers representing 187 campaigns the Army has fought over the past 239 years. Lewis said it will be located prominently in the Museum lobby where it will be viewed by the estimated 750,000 visitors annually. “It will be a distinctive feature that every currently serving Soldier and Army veteran can relate to personally,” Lewis said.
General Dynamics’ sponsorship of the Wall of Honor places it in the Capital Campaign’s Commander-in-Chief’s Circle of Distinction, reserved exclusively for contributors of $5 million or more.
