FROM:           THE INTREPID SEA, AIR, & SPACE MUSEUM

CONTACT:     Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
                       Ashley Allen – (646) 381-5292 / aallen@intrepidmuseum.org

New York, NY (May 31, 2017) — The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum honored Marc Holliday, Chief Executive Officer, SL Green Realty, Andrew Mathias, President, SL Green Realty, and the Honorable John F. Kelly, Secretary of Homeland Security, at the 2017 Salute to Freedom gala held on Thursday, May 25, at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, located at Pier 86 (46th Street and 12th Avenue), in Manhattan. The evening raised a record amount, $3,261,650, which will provide crucial support towards advancing the Museum’s mission.

Mr. Holliday and Mr. Mathias received the 2017 Intrepid Salute Award in honor of their outstanding business and philanthropic achievements and their commitment to supporting programs for active service men and women and veterans.

Secretary Kelly received the 2017 Intrepid Freedom Award for his distinguished service promoting and defending the values of freedom and democracy as a four star general of the U.S. Marine Corps and for more than 45 years of service to our nation.

"These awards celebrate individuals whose efforts to advance our nation through service and sacrifice have exceeded the call of duty," said Susan Marenoff-Zausner, president of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. "We are thrilled to honor Secretary Kelly for a lifetime of continued service to our country, as well as Marc Holliday and Andrew Mathias for their dedication to enriching the lives of former and active-duty service members in their communities. We are honored to recognize the great work of these individuals, and we thank them for their immeasurable contributions."

The Salute to Freedom gala brought together leading members of the business and military communities to help support the Museum’s mission to promote the awareness and understanding of history, science and service in order to honor our heroes, educate the public and inspire our youth. It provides crucial funding for important Museum programs, including the Veterans Access Initiative that serves returning veterans with post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury, those who have recently been hospitalized and their families. Funds raised from this gala will help the Museum continue to offer free programs to veterans and their families, and all New Yorkers.

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About the Museum
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is a non-profit, educational institution featuring the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world’s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine. Through exhibitions, educational programming and the foremost collection of technologically groundbreaking aircraft and vessels, visitors of all ages and abilities are taken on an interactive journey through history to learn about American innovation and bravery.

The Intrepid Museum fulfills its mission to honor our heroes, educate the public and inspire our youth by connecting them to history through hands-on exploration while bridging the future by inspiring innovation.

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