Huntsville, Ala –The Huntsville Museum of Art (HMA) is proud to announce that HMA Executive Director Christopher J. Madkour has been awarded the title of “Friend of West Point” from the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG). This honor gives him full membership in and grants him the same benefits accorded to all members of the WPAOG.

Friends of West Point support the mission and goals of the United States Military Academy (USMA) and have lived their lives in a manner consistent with the ideals of West Point. Among the select group whom have been inducted into the West Point Association of Graduates and have been honored as Friends of West Point are notable civic and business leaders, deserving public servants, authors and entertainers who have made various contributions to West Point and the United States Military.

Mr. Madkour was presented with the certificate of honor at the West Point Society of the Tennessee Valley’s (WPSTV) Founders Day Dinner on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at the Valley Hill Country Club in Huntsville where over 200 guests were in attendance. “I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” commented Mr. Madkour. “I accept it on behalf of the HMA Board of Directors, staff, and all the local West Point Alums who have supported my vision in exhibiting and supporting military themed exhibitions at our fine Museum.”    

Lt. Col. (Ret.) John W. (Tim) Thames, Jr. (USMA ’65), immediate past Vice President of the WPSTV, stated, “Mr. Christopher Madkour is a true friend of West Point and of the military. When he arrived in Huntsville in 2011, he noted the extensive military community and patriotic spirit in North Alabama and South Central Tennessee. Mr. Madkour’s desire was to keep alive that spirit with the arts and with emphasis on the contributions, sacrifices and accomplishments of the military and their families. His goal was to have a military related exhibition at HMA at least every two years to showcase the American Wars of the 20th Century and their impact on American life. He has since brought to HMA exhibitions of WWI and WWII in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016.  In 2018 he brought Duty, Honor, Country, Highlights from the West Point Collection to the HMA.  This was the first time fine art, drawings and artifacts from the West Point Museum have been exhibited anywhere except West Point.”

The next military related exhibition will be Vietnam: The Real War – Photographs from The Associated Press opening in June 2019. 

The President of the WPSTV, Col. (Ret.) Gary Stewart, (USMA ’66), remarked, “Mr. Madkour has kept alive the spirit of West Point and stoked pride in the military. He has attended multiple West Point Founders Day celebrations with the WPSTV and is a pillar of the North Alabama community. He has demonstrated his continual support of the mission, goals and ideals of the United States Military Academy. He is truly worthy of the title, Friend of West Point.”

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About the Huntsville Museum of Art

HMA is a non-profit municipal corporation established by the City of Huntsville, Alabama, and governed by a city-appointed Museum Board.  The Museum seeks to foster understanding of the visual arts and appreciation of artistic achievement by bringing people and art together.

About the West Point Association of Graduates

WPAOG is the Alumni Association for the United States Military Academy (USMA). Its mission is to serve West Point and its graduates; its purpose is to further the ideals and promote the welfare of the USMA. Founded in 1869 to reunite Academy graduates who found themselves on opposing sides during the American Civil War, the WPAOG now continues to strengthen the bonds of the “Long Gray Line” through communications and services to graduates, Classes and Societies; as well as building relationships with current Cadets at West Point.