of outdoor elements.
“Visitors can take in the natural beauty
of the surrounding landscape, or learn
Army survivor tactics as they wander the
interactive Army trail,” said Mantegna,
the museum’s spokesperson. “The
amphitheater serves as a focal point for
outdoor ceremonies and events. And the
parade ground provides ample space for
demonstrations and re-enactments.”
The campus also features spaces where
people can reflect on the service of
America’s soldiers. Another highlight,
The Veterans’ Hall, will give visitors the
opportunity to learn about the Army
first-hand through conversations with
veteran soldiers.
Special recognition is reserved for
recipients of the Medal of Honor, the
nation's highest medal for valor in combat
that can be awarded to members of the
armed forces.
For contemplative purposes, there is the
Medal of Honor Garden, an outdoor area
reserved for reflection. The garden is
divided into three sections, showcasing
the three principles of a Medal of Honor
recipient: Valor, Gallantry, and Intrepidity.
Meanwhile, the Medal Of Honor
Experience is designed to inspire and
educate guests about the courage and
selflessness of the soldiers who have
earned America’s highest honor as well
as illustrate the history and significance of
the medal itself, which was first authorized
in 1861. Since then, more than 3,400 have
been awarded.
While the bulk of exhibits and artifacts
spotlight events of obvious historical
significance, the Army and Society
Gallery helps bring attention to
contributions not necessarily associated
with the military. For example, Brigadier
General Albert J. Myer was Chief of the
Signal Corps in 1870 when Congress
authorized the Army to begin making
“meteorological observations.” That
decision laid the groundwork for the
Military Weather Service, which helped
establish and advance the science
of meteorology.
Still, the Army is primarily recognized as
a premier fighting force ready to defend
America. General George S. Patton, Jr., put
it this way: “I am a soldier, I fight where I
am told, and I win where I fight.”
One such soldier: Major Rhonda L.
Cornum, who was aboard a Sikorsky
UH-60 Black Hawk searching for
a downed F-16 pilot in Iraq. The
helicopter came under fire and was
shot down. Five died. Cornum –
wounded and pinned under wreckage
– dug her way out, was captured, and
eventually repatriated. Afterwards
she became an advocate for lifting
restrictions on what jobs women could
hold in the Army.
“Going to war with a unit, risking your life
with them, builds an intimate and intense
relationship,” she said. “The soldiers don’t
all have to be men for that to happen.”
Cornum’s experience exemplifies
America’s 21st Century Soldier. She
represents one of the many compelling
stories of grit, tenacity, and fortitude that
echo through the museum.
NMUSA stands as a testament that wars
are not fought in manicured meadows
or on pristine streets; they are fought in
fields of mud and blood and brine; sand,
wind, and fire. With that in mind, the
National Museum of the United States
Army honors fourteen generations of
America’s soldiers who’ve served on
such fields, while at the same time
preserving and protecting evidence of
the sacrifices they made and the battles
they fought.
The National Museum of the United
States Army was to be open 364 days
a year, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed
December 25. Admission is free, though
tickets are required. There’s no charge for
parking. For more information, call 1 (800)
506-2672, email info@thenmusa.org, or
visit https://www.thenmusa.org.
Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the
opening and operating hours have been
changed, please call or check their website for
current information.
42 ARMY 245: Call to Duty
/www.thenmusa.org
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