National Veterans Memorial and Museum COLUMBUS

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum, which opened in Columbus in 2018, is different from other veterans’ museums in that it honors all veterans from all eras and service branches — from the Revolutionary War to the present.

The Journey of a Veteran exhibition takes visitors through the lives of 23 veterans, from the time they were conscripted or enlisted in the military and swore their oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution through training and the different jobs each one performed as part of their military service. Multimedia presentations throughout allow visitors to hear these people’s stories in their own words.

Many of the museum’s docents are veterans themselves, so they bring their own experiences to bear when speaking with groups that visit.

Visitors can learn about a woman who dressed up as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War, a ploy that wasn’t discovered until she was shot. They can also find out how many U.S. presidents served in the military and discover other politicians who served and contributed to our nation’s history, including former Senator John Glenn and Senator Tammy Duckworth. The museum changes out its traveling exhibitions frequently.

Along with telling the stories of veterans, the museum hosts monthly programming to help veterans and their families. It also offers in-person programs, like exercise classes, to promote resilience and wellness. Many of the museum’s docents are veterans themselves, so they bring their own experiences to bear when speaking with groups that visit. Visitors have a chance to support veterans by shopping at the museum’s Vetrepreneur shop, which sells items made by veterans, including hats, T-shirts and soap.