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.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
| TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 59
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.
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.
/armedforcesmuseum.com