The museum’s dioramas and exhibits, such as the World War II M8 reconnaissance vehicle ride, the virtual voyager simulator ride, the Blazing Angels video game and the opportunity to get into the cockpit of a Russian Mig jet, are interactive. The museum won numerous awards because of its exhibits and received critical acclaim from the local, regional, national and international media. John Piazza stayed active in a multitude of community projects, including serving as president of the Injured Warriors Fund of Florida and working with the Pinellas Project Hope. During his lifetime, John was honored by many organizations in recognition of his continuing generosity. John’s estate and the museum’s board of directors are hoping that the museum will not close and that some organization, individual or government body will recognize the value of what he created and step up to save the museum. If not, we will all miss it, as it served our community in many ways. 9 Editor’s Note: The Armed Forces History Museum is located at 2050 34th Way North in Largo, (727) 539-8371, or for more information, visit armedforcesmuseum.com. The museum has operated at a substantial financial loss since opening with John personally carrying any deficits. Despite 25,000 annual visitors and great support from a devoted base of docents, veterans, active military and other volunteers, the museum required John’s continued funding. As a result of John’s death in October of 2016, the museum made plans to close at the end of January 2017. One of the museum’s most popular programs was its Operation Education that brought underprivileged children to the museum by bus and provided them with a hot meal as part of their museum tour. The students were taught core values and characteristics that are exemplified by the military through a museumproduced cartoon starring mascots known as Military Max and “Mighty” the M8. The museum also sent docents, many of whom were veterans, to visit schools as guest speakers. In addition, the museum developed a duffle bag program for teachers and provided them with some military memorabilia and curriculum guides. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 59 The Pearl Harbor diorama has models of the types of U.S. ships that were attacked. Real military equipment and machines, such as this airplane, are on display at the museum. John Piazza Sr. was dedicated to recognizing the importance of the military for the United States.
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