The Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation announced on Monday, Oct. 2 that a combined gift of $200,000 from Colonel (IL) (Ret) Jennifer N. Pritzker and Colonel (Ret) David R. Pelizzon had been given to the General James J. Lindsay Memorial Endowment at Cumberland Community Foundation. The endowment was established in memory of the late General James Lindsay who was the founder of the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum (ASOM). He passed away on Aug. 5, 2023. 

In a joint statement, Colonel (IL) (Ret) Jennifer N. Pritzker, founder of the Pritzker Military Foundation and David R. Pelizzon, retired Army Colonel and president of Squadron Capital said: “Our donations are made in recognition of General Lindsay’s leadership, impact to the Airborne and Special Operations Forces community, and his long and distinguished service to the nation and his community. We are hopeful that others who served with him will also join us in support of the endowment.”  

The retired Army officers are long-time friends of the late General Lindsay. They spent the early years of their military careers as privates with 1st Squadron (Air) 17th Cavalry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Liberty, N.C., previously Fort Bragg. Both Pritzker and Pelizzon have held General Lindsay in high regard given his storied military career and remain resolute supporters of the ASOM which Lindsay began working on in 1990 after his retirement.  While serving as the Assistant Division Commander in the 82nd Airborne Division, General Lindsay was instrumental in mentoring Col. (Ret) Pelizzon, who was named 82nd Airborne Division Trooper of the Year in 1976, to earn an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point New York. 

General Lindsay worked tirelessly to lead a group of local business leaders and bring their vision of combining the Airborne and Special Operations legacies to reality on August 16, 2000, with the opening of the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum located in downtown Fayetteville. 

“It is a priority for the ASOM Foundation to have a diverse income stream that does not rely solely on visitor donations or government support. The General James J. Lindsay Memorial Endowment prepares us well into the future. Both Colonel (IL) (Ret) Pritzker, and Colonel (Ret) Pelizzon have made a generous financial commitment to ensure our success and continue the legacy built by General Lindsay,” said Renee Lane, executive director of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation in a press release. 

Cumberland Community Foundation, based in Fayetteville, N.C., will manage the Lindsay Memorial Endowment. Founded in 1980, the foundation helps with essential funding to programs that enhance quality of life in Cumberland County. As of June 30, 2023, the foundation had $123 million in assets. 

“Cumberland Community Foundation is honored to be the home of General Lindsay’s memorial endowment. It seems fitting that his legacy will continue to support the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation every year, forever,” said Mary Holmes, CEO of Cumberland Community Foundation in a press release.