NEWS
FOR MORE INFORMATION Those interested in supporting the museum’s construction can donate at armyhistory.org or by calling 800506-2672. For more information, visit thenmusa.org
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MONUMENTAL MILESTONE
RENDERINGS COURTESY OF EAI
Future Army museum will honor all soldiers who have served 1 | The oldest U.S. military branch is well on its way to having its own dedicated museum. The Army Historical Foundation marked a historic milestone when it broke ground in September at Fort Belvoir, Va., for the National Museum of the U.S. Army. “We’ve waited 241 years for this moment,” said Eric Fanning, secretary of the U.S. Army, at the groundbreaking. 2 | The museum, which will sit on an 80-acre site about 20 miles south of Washington, D.C., is scheduled to be completed in 2019 and will have free admission. The foundation
said the main building will cover 185,000 square feet and will feature items from the Army’s 15,000-piece art collection, including artifacts, documents and images dating from 1775 to the present — many of them never seen by the American public. A series of galleries will depict how soldiers lived during war and peace. It’s expected to attract between 500,000 and 700,000 visitors annually. 3 | Gen. Mark Milley, Army chief of staff, delivered remarks at the groundbreaking. “This museum is going to remind all of us of what it means to be a soldier
and what it means to serve,” he said. “Most importantly, it will be a tribute to the 30 million people who have served.” Fundraising, construction and design were led by the foundation, and the project is expected to cost $200 million. 4 | “A great Army deserves a great museum, and truly, this museum is going to be a very special landmark and an American treasure that you can take pride in helping to create,” said retired Gen. Gordon Sullivan, the chairman of the campaign for the National Museum of the U.S. Army, in light blue suit. — Sara Schwartz
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4 COURTESY OF THE ARMY HISTORICAL FOUNDATION