Message from Remember My Service President, Sharlene Wells Hawkes
Last week, I was excited to have a conference call with the CEO of the brand new (as of Oct. 27, 2018) National Veterans Memorial and Museum in downtown Columbus, Ohio, Lt. General Michael Ferriter, U.S. Army (Ret.), and his team. What an exciting new addition to all our national treasures that reinforce the importance of the service and sacrifice of all our veterans throughout the centuries! And wait until you see a photo of this beautifully distinct building (please Google). It is so distinct, even “Architectural Digest” wrote about it:
For the first time in our country’s history, a museum will not just honor the men and women who served in all branches of the U.S. military but also tell their stories….Creating that sense of timelessness was no easy task, especially when the architects at Allied Works Architecture were attempting to ensure the structure looked like no other of its kind. “The building is a poetic act. Its role is to make a place that’s like no other. As a result, there was no direct inspiration in the design,” says Brad Cloepfil, principal at Allied Works Architecture. “The genesis of the design was really about creating a sacred domain for veterans. If you break it down, the building is one big processional up the ramp that lifts each visitor from the earth and toward the sky.”
— Architectural Digest, October 2018
This memorial and museum doesn’t show artifacts, it tells the story. And if you have been following what Remember My Service Productions has been doing the last 15 years, then you know this is what we are all about—telling the story. So we encourage and celebrate anyone and any organization who does the same thing.
I asked NVMM to send me more specific information so I could share it with my network:
With more than 20 million living veterans throughout the United States, from our Greatest Generation to our recent heroes coming home from Afghanistan and Iraq and all who served in peace and war, the time for America to remember and to honor its veterans is now.
National Veterans Memorial and Museum is neither a war memorial nor a military branch-of-service museum. National Veterans Memorial and Museum takes visitors on a narrative journey telling individual stories and shared experiences of veterans throughout history. It pays tribute to the sacrifices of servicemen and women and their families. History is presented in a dynamic, participatory experience with photos, letters and personal effects, multimedia presentations, and interactive exhibits. Together, these elements link our national story to the larger context of world events since our country’s earliest days and demonstrate the importance of individuals in shaping our history.
In addition to its exhibitions, plans are underway to make the National Veterans Memorial and Museum a connection point for veterans and their families through targeted programs and special events. Many more will be reached through online virtual tours and traveling exhibits.
Admission is free for veterans and active-duty military members. Please visit http://www.nationalvmm.org/ to learn more about the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.
If you are anywhere near the Midwest, I hope you make it to the country’s newest precious location to honor and remember the service of all who have worn the uniform for our country. By the way, John Glenn played a key role in the vision and building of this memorial and museum, so you know that everything related to this endeavor was done with the highest of integrity and purpose. Please contact the museum for additional questions, and I hope you get there soon!
Warm Regards,
Sharlene
[email protected]
Downtown with Robbie Haigh