Boeing First in Commander-in-Chief’s Circle with $5 Million Gift
Boeing First in Commander-in-Chief’s Circle with $5 Million Gift
The Boeing Company, recognized as the world’s leading aerospace company and a provider of numerous military systems and services to the Army, enjoys the distinction of being the first corporate contributor to enter the Capital Campaign’s elite Commander-in-Chief’s Circle of Distinction, reserved for donors contributing $5 million or more to The National Museum of the United States Army.
In celebration of the Army’s 235th Birthday Anniversary on June 14, 2010, Boeing pledged an additional $4 million to the $1 million it had already contributed to the Campaign.
“Boeing has a longstanding history of supporting our nation’s warfighters, and we’re proud to play a part in The National Museum of the United States Army,” said Roger Krone, president of Boeing Network and Space Systems. He added, “The Soldiers’ Story Gallery and other exhibits in the museum are important means by which we honor the lives and service of American Soldiers, who have served the nation for 235 years and who continue to dedicate their lives to the freedom of this country.” 
Boeing’s $5 million gift will sponsor the Soldiers’ Story Gallery, the inspirational entry gallery designed to set the tone and communicate the central theme of “the story of the Army is the stories of its Soldiers” for the Museum’s estimated 750,000 to 1 million annual visitors.
“We all realize and value the fact that there’s been a longstanding and successful effort on Boeing’s part to ensure that our Soldiers are the beneficiaries of equipment and technologies that meet or exceed quality, performance, and safety standards,” said MG John P. Herrling (USA-Ret.), Campaign Executive Director.
“This generous gift to the Museum is yet another demonstration of Boeing’s deep concern for our Soldiers. Boeing is leading the corporate charge to ensure Army history is preserved and Soldiers’ service and sacrifice is properly honored,” Herrling added.
The Boeing-sponsored Soldiers’ Stories Gallery will provide a dramatic entry experience and create an instant point of connection between Museum visitors and the Soldiers whose stories appear on larger-than-life freestanding pylons organized in marching formation immediately adjacent the Museum lobby entrance.
Each pylon in the g
allery will include a large relief portrait of a Soldier; specific individual information, to include name, rank, branch, unit, and dates of service; and a compelling personal story. Featured Soldiers will be selected to represent as much diversity as possible and span the history of the Army from the Revolutionary War through current deployments. Emotional resonance will also play a key role in story selection; Soldier stories will be moving, touching, humorous, exciting, and dramatic.
The far end of the gallery will include a large stone-like monolith inscribed with the Soldier’s Creed that will create a monumental and reverential backdrop to the “marching” Soldiers.
According to David Lewis, the Campaign’s Director of Corporate Programs, Boeing’s sponsorship includes special use of exhibit shell space, a unique idea proposed by Boeing officials.
“When the Museum opens there’ll be several empty spaces reserved for planned exhibit expansion,” Lewis said. “Boeing suggested temporary use of one of the spaces to design and stage a special exhibit that would complement their sponsorship of the Soldiers’ Stories Gallery. The National Museum of the United States Army Project Office agreed and will work out the details with company representatives so that Boeing’s special exhibit will be ready when the Museum opens,” Lewis added.
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