President’s Message

 

 

Dear Fellow OMSA members:

Convention in Minneapolis.  For those of you who haven’t downloaded the convention registration form from our website, this issue of JOMSA includes a physical copy for you.  The dates for this year’s convention are August 13-16, 2026 and it will be held at the Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Hotel.   This year’s theme is on The Indian Wars 1865-1891.  As always, we will have a number of medal related lectures on American, British and International topics.  The bourse will be open to all attendees and we will have a banquet on Saturday evening.  Greg Harper and Nathan Weiss are the co-chairs and have done this a number of times over the years, so you know it will be a well run event.  I hope to see you there!

2027 Convention in Arizona.  We have now signed a contract for the 2027 OMSA Convention.  It will be held at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.  The Convention dates are August 12-15 2027.  Please mark your calendars now.  As always, if you would like a convention nearer to you then please let us know.  We are always looking for new places to have a convention!

Mexican Border Defense Medal.  In August of last year, the Department of Defense announced the Mexican Border Defense Medal to all US military service members deployed on the southern border of the United States assisting the Customs and Border Protection Agency.  The Medal is for service since January 20, 2025 until the present.  Interestingly, it is identical to the previously issued Mexican Border Service Medal; the previously issued medal was for service from January 1, 196 until April 6, 1917.  I suppose what was old is now new again.

Ashcroft Collection finds a new home.   You may recall last year I mentioned that Lord Ashcroft’s collection of Victoria Crosses and George Crosses was leaving the Imperial War Museum.  The sudden announcement led to some negative publicity in the British press as, apparently, Ashcroft was not informed until the Imperial War Museum gave a press release.  I’m pleased to report that the National Army Museum in London will eventually house Ashcroft’s collection.  At the present, there will be a few of the medals periodically on display at the National Army Museum.  According to the National Army Museum, the collection will be fully on display within 2 years.

All the Best,

John