Additionally, the Promise of Youth monument does not and has not functioned as intended as a reflecting pool nor does the mechanical statute operate. The monument has not generally been understood and has been discredited for not being relevant to veteran recognition or issues. Shortly after WWII a reflecting pool and a statute within the pool was built immediately north of the Veteran Services Building that is referred to as the Promise of Youth. Also more recently and either side of the Court of Honor a Vietnam and Korean Memorial and a Military Family Tribute have been added. Also since WWII, a Court of Honor tribute to veterans has been added forming a circular area on the mall north of the Veteran Services Building with most recently a WWII War Memorial in the middle of that area. It is there that there is another circle of memorials and tributes to military veterans and wars, not unlike the circle of monuments that surround in close proximity the Capital Building. After WWII, a decision was made to honor veterans with a building to provide necessary military veteran services, that now also provides a visual backdrop at the south end of the Capitol Mall. In 1931, Cass Gilbert’s third and last sketch of the approach to the Capitol Building featured a tall spire reflecting Gilbert’s vision and desire that there be a memorial tribute to veterans at the far south end of the Capitol Mall. The Memorial will honor Medal of Honor and Medal of Valor recipients, veterans, our youth, and future generations. The Memorial design provides symbolic ties to the Medal itself and also the character virtues and values Medal of Honor recipients leave as their legacy to our youth. The Memorial was approved by the 2016 Minnesota Legislature to be constructed under the Veteran’s Services Building at the main entrance of the Mall in prominent view of the Capitol. To see a 360°View of the Memorial, click here! Location We look forward to promoting one of the State of Minnesota’s recommended character education resource in schools across our state.įor more information on the CDP, please visit the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation website. One of the Memorial Committee’s main mission is to continue to build character amongst students statewide. Passed legislation amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.232, naming the MOH CDP as one the preferred character education programs in Minnesota.Over 300 teachers trained in the state from 80+ schools and districts.Helped create and launch the new national Elementary CDP, including 2 teacher writing workshops.17 school visits by one or more Medal of Honor recipients.Completed 6 successful CDP teacher training sessions.To date we have helped accomplish the following: With the opportunity to see positive role models, the depth and breadth of our students’ insight and reflection after interacting with these materials teaches how we can all choose to be our personal best.Īs a proud advocate of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, we hold this resource and opportunity for our youth in the highest regard. The Medal of Honor Character Development Program (CDP) is a resource designed by teachers to provide students at grade level K-12 with opportunities to explore the important concepts of courage, commitment, sacrifice, patriotism, integrity and citizenship and how these values can be exemplified in daily life. Help to plan our next Minnesota Character Development Program Training! Please contact us at for additional information. The existing ‘Promise of Youth’ sculpture that will be an integral element of the Memorial seen in this picture represents the youth of our state, she will be encircled by the new Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial which will create a metaphor inspiring and educating our youth and public with character virtues and values that our recipients and veterans leave with us as their legacy.

Do medal of honor recipients get paid