Instagram story viewer> @thefirstmedals> Posts

Coolidge National Medal Of Honor Heritage Center

@thefirstmedals

2.2K

followers

321

following

Come to learn. Leave inspired.
Explore the stories of ordinary individuals who did extraordinary things.
#FirstMedals #Valor

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

The 2026 Patriots Ball is a wrap. Thank you to all of our sponsors, donors and supporters who made this event possibble. We invite you to watch our recap video and relive the evening’s memorable moments from the 2026 Patriots Ball at Erlanger Park. #Valor #FirstMedals #MedalofHonor #Chattanooga by @thefirstmedals

13

1

6 hours ago

Our One-Four Star General Field Trips are aimed at enriching the content already being covered in the classroom. Let us know what you’re looking for, Teachers, and we’ll work to tailor our programming to meet your needs!

✔️Gallery Tour
✔️Scavenger Hunt
✔️Character Values
✔️Leadership
✔️Change and Continuity Over Time
✔️Artifact Investigation

🔗 Field Trips | LINK IN BIO
#BIGstories #BIGenergy #BIGimpact #leverageplace by @thefirstmedals

1

0

9 hours ago

2027 Teacher Fellowship Program | Application Window Open

The 2027 MOHHC Teacher Fellowship is a year-long commitment. During our #BIGenergy field excursions and work sessions, Teacher Fellows are introduced to the Space Medal of Honor and Medal of Honor, the six character values associated with the Medal, and the #BIGstories of Recipients serving in various conflicts throughout our nation’s history who received the Medal for acts of valor.

Teacher Fellows craft instructional materials and lessons—for which they are compensated—that reinforce content and standards covered in the classroom and are aimed at making the Heritage Center even more accessible to teachers and students of all grade levels.

We believe education is a community effort, and we work to support educators through this Fellowship. Teachers are the ones with the capacity to make a #BIGimpact in their classrooms each and every day.

🗓 Application Window: NOW–November 20, 2026
✔ Eligibility: TN, GA, AL, and MS teachers (public and private) from all content areas
🔗 Apply Here: LINK IN BIO

#leverageplace #mohhcfellowship27 by @thefirstmedals

13

0

a day ago

✨It's Possible | GCSS Pre-Conference Clinic

We're collaborating with @gasocstudies to host a pre-conference clinic centered on our new It's Possible Activity Bundle! Are you registered?

⚙️ Geared Towards | Elementary Educators, Literacy Coaches and Specialists, and School Librarians
🗓️ Date | October 21, 2026
📍 Location | Courtyard by Marriott Athens Downtown 390 E Washington St. Athens, GA 30601
⏰ Time | 8:30am–3:30pm EDT
🍴Breakfast and Lunch Provided
📖 Receive a copy of It’s Possible: The Story of Ronald McNair, and walk away with standards-aligned mini-lessons ready for classroom use
💲Stipend included
🔗 Learn More & Register Here: LINK IN BIO
*MUST BE REGISTERED FOR GCSS CONFERENCE TO ATTEND
**Space is Limited

#BIGstories #BIGenergy #BIGimpact #leverageplace #GCSS by @thefirstmedals

2

0

2 days ago

Last day to purchase a Brick of Honor for our Veterans Day Dedication Ceremony. Honor their service. Preserve their story. Purchase a Brick to Honor for a veteran or active-duty service member: https://mohhc.org/bricks

Then, join us at the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center at 11 AM on Saturday, Nov, 14, for our Veterans Day Dedication Ceremony, featuring Mike Hall, retired Command Sergeant Major of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

#BricksofHonor #VeteransDay by @thefirstmedals

1

0

2 days ago

Last chance to purchase a Brick of Honor for our Veterans Day Dedication Ceremony. Honor their service. Preserve their story. Purchase a Brick to Honor for a veteran or active-duty service member: https://mohhc.org/bricks

Then, join us at the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center at 11 AM on Saturday, Nov, 14, for our Veterans Day Dedication Ceremony, featuring Mike Hall, retired Command Sergeant Major of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

#BricksofHonor #VeteransDay by @thefirstmedals

3

0

3 days ago

TEACHER WORKSHOP | NOVEMBER 19TH

This combined Elementary and Secondary Teacher Workshop will include a gallery tour and highlight FREE lesson activities rooted in 4th–12th grade standards, which have been crafted by our 2026 Teacher Fellows.

MOHHC Teacher Fellows will facilitate multiple sessions centered on the following topics: Ancient Civilizations, Middle Ages, Civil War, WWII, Korean War, Civil Rights, and the Global War on Terror. These sessions will uniquely weave in the stories of Medal of Honor Recipients and the character values associated with the Medal—courage, commitment, sacrifice, integrity, patriotism, and citizenship.

SPECIAL GUEST
We are excited to share Chris Edmonds, son of Tennessee Medal of Honor Recipient Roddie Edmonds, will be joining us this day as a special guest speaker. In a World War II POW camp and at great risk to his own life, MOH Recipient Roddie Edmonds refused to identify the Jewish Americans among those held captive. Hear Chris Edmonds share his father's courageous story.

🗓 November 19, 2026
⏰ 8:30am–3:30pm EST
🎟 Register Here: LINK IN BIO
📍2 W Aquarium Way, Chattanooga, TN
📣 Breakfast and lunch provided, door prizes, substitute reimbursement available, $50 Amazon Gift Card (must participate in the full session and complete the survey at the end of the PD to receive this gift card)
* Registration Closes November 11th

#BIGstories #BIGenergy #BIGimpact #leverageplace by @thefirstmedals

7

0

4 days ago

Last chance to purchase a Brick of Honor for our Veterans Day Dedication Ceremony. Honor their service. Preserve their story. Purchase a Brick to Honor for a veteran or active-duty service member: https://mohhc.org/bricks

Then, join us at the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center at 11 AM on Saturday, Nov, 14, for our Veterans Day Dedication Ceremony, featuring Mike Hall, retired Command Sergeant Major of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

#BricksofHonor #VeteransDay by @thefirstmedals

6

0

5 days ago

🇺🇸 Did you know?

In World War II, Van Thomas Barfoot earned the Medal of Honor fighting in Italy with the 45th Infantry Division. During the breakout from Anzio, he advanced through a minefield to attack enemy machine-gun positions, disabled a tank, and helped two wounded men to safety.

Late in life, Barfoot received national attention for a successful fight with his homeowner’s association for the right to fly the U.S. flag from his 21-foot flagpole.

📷: @ausaorg
🔗: View Barfoot's graphic novel on AUSA's site.

#valor #courage by @thefirstmedals

9

0

5 days ago

Georgia Council for the Social Studies Conference

📌 Athens, Georgia | October 21st–23rd
As a proud @gasocstudies Conference Gold Partner this year, we'll be exhibiting and presenting at the conference in Athens, GA, from October 21st–23rd. Six of our 2026 Teacher & Senior Fellows—Alyssa Brewster, Mary Campbell Harris, Abby Martin, Jessica Holloway, Tarah Kemp, and Becky DuBose—will be presenting their work centered on the #BIGstories of Medal of Honor and Space Medal of Honor Recipients.

Stop by our booth and attend our sessions to learn more about our programs and resources available to both teachers and students!

SESSIONS
Oct. 21st, 8:30am–3:30pm EDT | It's Possible Pre-Conference Clinic
Oct. 22nd, 3:05pm–3:55pm EDT | Teacher Fellowship Program Overview
Oct. 23rd, 9:40am–10:30am EDT | History at the Table Presentation
Oct. 22nd–23rd | Booth in Exhibit Hall

#BIGenergy #BIGimpact #leverageplace #GCSS by @thefirstmedals

3

0

5 days ago

🇺🇸 **What an incredible evening!** The 2026 Patriots Ball was a great success thanks to our generous sponsors, attendees and everyone who supported our Mission Ask! Your generosity helps the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center share the stories of Medal of Honor Recipients and inspire students, educators and visitors to live with Patriotism, Citizenship, Courage, Integrity, Sacrifice and Commitment.

📸 Relive the evening! View photos from the Patriots Ball and VIP Reception: ** https://bit.ly/4B0zdJE **

**Help us reach our $100,000 Mission Ask fundraising goal!** There’s still time to give. Every gift helps sustain our mission into 2027 and inspire the next generation to make a difference when it matters most.

❤️ Donate today at ** https://giveb.co/s/zAPD7x **

#PatriotsBall2026 #MedalOfHonor #SupportOurMission #VALOR by @thefirstmedals

45

0

6 days ago

🐾 "David! - David! - David!"

Medal of Honor Recipient David Bellavia joined the @thrasher.elementary panthers earlier this week on the mountain for a #BIGenergy chat and Q&A session.

In addition to sharing his thoughts on horses, alligators, ice cream cake, and the three sets of swings on campus, MOH Recipient Bellavia spoke of appreciating community service personnel and first responders. He even met another "David" among the crowd and shared the Medal for a bit.

Leaving campus, he received a lively chant from a group of students—"David! - David! - David!" What a morning. We love sharing these experiences with students.

#BIGstories #BIGimpact #leverageplace taken in Thrasher Elementary School by @thefirstmedals

14

0

7 days ago