MORE TO SEE, MORE TO DO
The Armed Forces History Museum
The USO exhibit at the Museum features memorabilia from celebrities who entertained
our troops overseas.
and entertainment for overseas
warriors.
Two of the most moving of the
Museum’s new exhibits include one
dedicated to one of the worst times
in history, the Holocaust; and
another that highlights the plights
and triumphs of African Americans
throughout military history, which
starts with WWI’s Corporal Freddie
Stowers, who was denied a Medal
of Honor due to racial prejudice,
and finishes with the successes of
General Colin Powell.
The Museum has a scholarship
for students in JROTC programs
and a plan to invite classrooms
from Title I schools to visit the
Museum free of admission charge,
providing complimentary bus
transportation and lunch. Next on
the drawing board for the Museum
are large dioramas depicting Desert
Storm and current conflicts.
9
M U S E U M S
History comes to life in this
unique museum, which was
established in 2008 by John
Piazza. The Armed Forces History
Museum has the largest collection
of military memorabilia in the Southeast,
which is displayed in 50,000
square feet of indoor and outdoor
exhibit space. It features everything
from uniforms that were worn by
veterans of a multitude of countries
and firearms from around the globe
that date back to 1756, to a virtual
voyager simulator in which you
can ride.
The ever-expanding exhibits now
include a tribute to the WACs, the
women’s branch of the U.S. Army
that was created in 1942, but was
disbanded in 1978, when it was
integrated into the regular Army.
There is also a USO exhibit explaining
the original vision of the organization
to provide a home away from home
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Armed Forces History Museum is located at 2050 34th Way
North (off of Ulmerton Road) in Largo, (727) 539-8371.
ARMED FORCES HISTORY MUSEUM
This WAC uniform is part of the Museum’s new
exhibit about the Women’s Army Corps.
The Museum’s new Holocaust exhibit features
uniforms and artifacts from concentration camps.
JULY/AUGUST 2015 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 153
ARMED FORCES HISTORY MUSEUM
NORAA