My Life As A Military Spouse

Alabama Museum to offer day of Armed Forces education

The Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives will observe Armed Forces Day Saturday not with a celebration but with a day of education, according to Director Sandra Thompson.

“A lot of people don’t know why Armed Forces Day was created,” she said. “It was created in 1950 when Harry Truman was president and all of the services came under the Department of Defense. The day was observed to thank all of the military for their patriotic service.”

To educate, the museum will have on display bound copies of books about each branch of the service. There will also be flags of each branch flying outside.

“I don’t think we’ve ever done that before,” she said.

Thompson, an Air Force retiree, is in her fourth week on the job.

“I would have liked to get more of a celebration organized, but it’s been a busy few weeks,” she said.

Thompson has created exhibits explaining the mission of each branch of the military and why it was formed.

“We will also have some kind of artifacts from each of the branches on display,” she said.

Memorial Day exhibit

Thompson said the museum will celebrate Memorial Day May 23 with a special exhibit by Jeff Lea of Huntsville, who collects World War II German military artifacts.

“He will bring a German staff car and motorcycle with sidecar,” said Thompson. “He does Civil War and WWII reenactments.”

posted by LoveMyTanker @ 8:12 AM