When the National Medal of Honor Museum opened in Arlington earlier this year, it marked the culmination of an intense four-year journey for President and CEO Chris Cassidy and the team he built.

Now, with his mission accomplished, Cassidy says it's time to take a well-deserved break and make room for the museum's next leader.

From astronaut to museum builder

In August 2021, the former NASA astronaut and Navy SEAL became the first president and CEO of a museum that didn't exist yet. All he had to start with was a piece of dirt in Arlington — and a mission to raise money.

Cassidy reflected on what he wishes he had known when he first accepted the role in August 2021.

Laughing, when I asked him, "Do we need an hour? No! I knew fundraising was a part of it, but I had never fundraised bef

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