National Infantry Museum

The military has always held a special place of interest for me. My father retired from the US Army in 1976. He was stationed at Ft. Benning GA. He spent 3 tours of duty in Vietnam. His unit was depicted in the movie “We Were Soldiers”. The movie trailer is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=d3BlWLa2soY&feature=related

Two weeks ago my younger brother (Greg), Christopher, and I visited the National Infantry Museum located in Columbus GA (just outside the gates of Ft. Benning). http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com/

The museum opened its doors in June of 2009. The first exhibit is called “The Last 100 Yards”. It depicts life-like scenes from eight wars in Infantry history. The exhibit is a 100-yard-long gently inclining ramp, signifying the Infantry’s role in taking the last 100 yards of any battle. The scenes feature cast figures of real Infantry soldiers, as well as a World War II glider, Huey helicopter and Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

Gliders were used as a cheap method of transporting troops across the English Channel and into the French countryside during D-Day. Many crashed upon impact; killed their occupants before they tasted battle. To see one up close was amazing. The sides were thin as cardboard. The whole thing looked like it could have been built in a garage using scrap lumber. The bravery of the young men who rode them into battle is amazing.

Also of interest in this exhibit was the Huey helicopter. Huey helicopters are shown in the trailer of the movie above. My father spent a lot of time in Huey helicopters. I couldn’t help but examine the one in the exhibit and wonder if my father ever rode this one. Whether he did or not, I imagined him sitting in it.

The next exhibit included a rifle range like the ones soldiers train on. We were given an opportunity to fire 30 rounds from an AK47 at 20 targets. It was much harder than it looked and I was only successful at hitting 10 of the 20 targets.

The main section of the museum includes 6 Era Galleries. The six Era Galleries include:
· Securing Our Freedoms 1607-1815 (opening later)
· Manifest Destiny and the Civil War 1815-1898 (opening later)
· Entering the International Stage 1898-1920
· A World Power 1920-1947
· The Cold War 1947-1989
· The Sole Superpower 1989-Present

Entering the International Stage Gallery includes relics and artifacts (weapons, uniforms, etc) from the Spanish American War and World War I. In 1898 the United States declared war on Spain after the sinking of the Battleship Maine in the Havana harbor. The Maine sank following a horrific explosion that killed 266 of her crew. The United States immediately blamed the sinking on a Spanish mine. Politicians worked the country into a frenzy demanding revenge. War was declared and a war was fought. Spoils of the war included Puerto Rico and the Philippines. Historians have long speculated that the sinking was actually caused by a buildup of coal dust in her coal bunker. The museum displays a 3x3 section of the Maine that includes a port hole. I found it fascinating given its historical significance.

This gallery also includes World War I. Much of the war was fought in miles and miles of trenches dug throughout Europe. This war also featured extensive use of “Poison Gas” later banned by the Geneva Convention. A major part of this gallery was a long replica trench. The clatter of tank tracks was piped in via speaker. The ground shock as the sounds came closer. It was dirty and dusty. Some areas tried to replicate the mud that filed the trenches most of the year. It really gave you a sense of how bad the conditions must have been.

A World Power Gallery included World War II. It includes relics and artifacts from all participants. The entire gallery was fascinating and there were too many things to mention in a short blog. However, being a fan General Patton, I must mention that on display was a grungy and used sweatshirt worn by the General himself.

The Cold War Gallery includes relics and artifacts from the Vietnam War. This gallery brought back memories of my youth as I had previously seen or owned many of the things on display. One area of particular interest was a large room designed to simulate the sights and sounds experience by a soldier on nighttime patrol through the jungle. It was very emotional for me.

Two Galleries opening in the future include the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. I look forward to returning and visiting them in the future.

Hi Josie - what a great idea! We just got back on Saturday from our first vacation since we visited you in Atlanta in August 2008 - a week on Maui. The boys and I had a great time; we took a boat trip over to Lanai, drove up the volcano, and even braved the Hana Highway. When I asked Harry what he liked most about the vacation, he said, "All of it!" The boys particularly liked snorkeling (Harry is learning, does it sans snorkel) - they saw some amazing fish in Kapalua Bay and in the Lanai harbor. We had last done this trip in 2005 with Jenise and the boys wanted to stay in the same hotel (the Grand Wailea, which has water slides).

Now to see if I can figure out how to post photos . . . .

Love, Harry

Is Spring Here Yet??

Ok, it has been a very long cold winter on the East Coast.  We have had unbelievable cold, snow and now never-ending rain!  I am sure that Jim and Joanna will be very happy to trade our cold in the south with theirs but for us in Atlanta this was a very cold and long winter.  Last weekend we had our very first glimpse into Spring, it was very nice (in the 60s) and sunny for a change but with the beginning of the week, the rains came and so far they don't know how to leave.  Though it is not as cold as it has been it keeps dipping back into the high 40s/low 50s and the winds are making it feel even colder.  I hope that all of you had a great weekend and look forward to hearing from you.

Josie

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the Ellis Family Blog. I created this site so that we can share photos, family events and stay connected.

Josie