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New National Museum to Honor the Infantry Soldier |
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New National Museum to Honor the Infantry Soldier
(ARA) - As medics put him on a stretcher and rushed him to an evacuation helicopter, Sgt. Jeremy Feldbusch, a 23-year-old mortar gunman in the Army's 3rd Battalion, 75th Regiment, recited the Ranger creed.
“Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task, whatever it may be, one hundred percent and then some … .”
His only worry was for the guys he left behind at Iraq’s Haditha Dam. As a U.S. Army Infantryman and Ranger in the Iraq War, Feldbusch nearly lost an eye when shrapnel entered his brain.
Now back home in Pennsylvania, completely blind at 28, and cared for by his father, Feldbusch is not able to see the new National Infantry Museum built to honor him and the thousands like him throughout history. Nonetheless, as he celebrates this holiday season safe with his family, he is elated that the day of formally acknowledging the Infantryman with a world-class facility has finally come.
Opening March 20, 2009, in Columbus, Ga., the new National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Patriot Park is the first site of its kind to pay tribute to the U.S. Army Infantryman and those who fight alongside him. The museum will take visitors on an immersive, interactive journey through every war fought by the U.S. over the Infantry’s 233-year history -- from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The National Infantry Foundation, led by Maj. Gen. Jerry A. White, is a non-profit organization formed in 1998 to plan, build and operate the new National Infantry Museum. White says a tribute to the Infantryman of this caliber is long overdue.
“No war in the world’s history has been won without Infantry. Yet, the valor and sacrifices of the Army Infantryman have gone largely unrecognized, says White. “The new National Infantry Museum will be the only place in the world that focuses on military history from the perspective of Infantrymen like Mortar gunman Feldbusch. It is an interactive, must-see attraction for freedom-loving people everywhere.”
Approximately 80 percent of the U.S. armed forces war dead is represented by the Infantry and Infantrymen have earned more than half of all Medals of Honor awarded since the Civil War, when the first medals were conferred.
The 200-acre museum site is adjacent to historic Fort Benning, known as the “Home of the Infantry.” The famed United States Army Infantry School was established at Fort Benning and, through the years, this institution emerged as the most influential Infantry center in the modern world. The complex also includes a parade field, a memorial walk of honor and an authentic World War II Company Street.
Inside are galleries chock full of engaging exhibits with themes highlighting Infantry experiences in military training, Medal of Honor recipients, the Officer Candidate School training experience, the contributions of Rangers and more. In addition, the museum’s 300-seat IMAX Theater will bring giant screen movies to the Columbus region for the first time.
One of the museum’s unique features is a gallery dedicated to the sacrifices made by the spouses, children and parents of Infantrymen.
Supporters of the National Infantry Museum include corporations such as Chrysler, AT&T, Synovus, Aflac, Burger King, Coca-Cola, Colt and Samsung as well as foundations, government grants and over 900 individuals who have made donations or contributed to the newly created National Infantry Museum commemorative paver program, In the Footsteps of Heroes. More information about the National Infantry Museum is available at www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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