US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center Spotlight

The US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center at The National WWII Museum

The soaring, dramatic building that anchors The National WWII Museum campus—The U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center—portrays a nation mobilized for war and pays tribute to those who supported the war effort. The pavilion, which opened to great acclaim in January 2013, is made possible through a generous gift from The Boeing Company and has been a major factor in the museum’s record-setting attendance in 2013 and 2014.

Donor Spotlight: The Boeing Company

There are many reasons why Boeing is proud to support The U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, says Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing’s Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer.

“We have a sense of gratitude to World War II veterans and the servicemen and servicewomen who sacrificed so much,” Muilenburg said. “It is important for us to recognize that generation’s sacrifice as well as to pay tribute to today’s veterans— including the 22,000 veterans who work at Boeing currently.”

In addition to recognizing those who fought in World War II, the U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center pays tribute to the airplanes, ships, tanks and other machinery that helped propel the U.S. and allied nations to victory. Suspended from the ceiling of the Pavilion’s main hall, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “My Gal Sal” is one of five World War II-era planes in the museum’s collection.

“Boeing made significant contributions to the war effort,” Muilenburg said. “From our B-17 and B-29 bombers that helped ultimately carry the fight in both the European and Pacific theaters to iconic aircraft like the P-51 Mustang, we are honored to help recognize not only the machines, but even more important, the people who built them.”

Muilenburg, who serves on the Museum’s Board of Trustees, began working at Boeing as a summer intern in 1985 in Seattle, Washington. Throughout his 30-year career with the company, Muilenburg has held a variety of management positions in both the commercial airplanes and defense, space and security businesses. In his current role as Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer, Muilenburg shares in the day-to-day oversight and support of the world’s largest aerospace company. He focuses on specific growth enablers, including important global relationships, leadership initiatives and development program performance.

A frequent visitor to the museum, Muilenburg hopes the U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center will help preserve the legacy of World War II veterans and the people who supported America’s war effort. “It’s really important that we continue to tell the story in a way that’s meaningful, that inspires future generations and that remembers the sacrifices that were made by the warfighters and those who supported them,” he said.

Muilenburg’s favorite moments at the museum are those he spends with the many volunteer veterans. “It always impresses me how humble they are and how they all have a story to share,” he said. Because the number of World War II veterans decreases with each passing day, Boeing supports the museum’s efforts to preserve World War II veterans’ stories at the highest standard of quality.

The museum is fortunate to have the encouragement of The Boeing Company. We are grateful for their support of our programs and capital expansion at the corporate level and for the participation of many of their outstanding employees.