Comments on: Where’s the Military’s Museum?

By: John B.

John B. — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:35:15 +0000

I wouldn't necessarily object to a military museum. But does it have to be in Washington? Ever since the Vietnam Veterans memorial was built, we have had a succession of crybabies demanding memorials to their heroism and sacrifices. Ever time a new memorial is approved, a coterie of interest groups start rattling their cages to demand that it be redesigned to reflect their particular interests. As a Washingtonian, I'm getting a little tired of this.

By: Triumph

Triumph — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:56:44 +0000

You forgot to mention that the Pentagon has a well-developed tour program and scores of exhibitions that anyone can visit for free.

Also, the Marines have a museum in Triangle, VA just downstream from DC.

By: KJ

KJ — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:06:08 +0000

Unfortunately there will likely never be a national style museum the likes of those found around the world.

Ask an old soldier the meaning of "Soldiers and dogs keep off the grass." It is the way so many in the US treat those that fought their wars and protected their freedoms.

By: Jeff Quinton

Jeff Quinton — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:49:57 +0000

The new USMC museum is out at Quantico and there's the smaller Navy museum at the Navy monument at the Archives Metro Stop. AF Museum is at Wright-Pat. There's an Army Museum going in at Belvoir in the next 5-10 years I think.

By: B. Minich

B. Minich — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:28:01 +0000

Hrmmmm . . . I've visited the monuments to the military several times. They are free, and the experience is powerful. I do not plan on visiting the Newseam. I think it is too expensive ($20!?! SERIOUSLY?!?! This is a town of free museums, I think the curators here are going to have a rude awakening.), and I doubt that for that $20 I am going to affected in anyway, or even learn that much.

By: Bithead

Bithead — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:20:24 +0000

Well, perhaps the Navy has the right idea, there.
Thinking aloud...

Why not put the Military museum in unused space at say, Ft Lee, (I think they've already got a substantial museum at Lee... Saw Patton's jeep there, 30 some odd years ago) or perhaps at Meade?

I have a deep and abiding respect for the Military, but the memorials on the mall are just that; memorials. More of emotion than nuts and bolts... The Nuts and Bolts view of military history requires something more in the way of space...and frankly a different ambiance than the mall can provide, I think.

Let's see, here.... from memory, there's the Quartermaster Museum at Lee, Lee's got the Army Women's museum, too. There's the Patton Museum of Cavalry & Armor at Knox, I think. 4ID has one at Hood...(Where else?) 82nd got one at Bragg, Benning has the National Infantry Museum.

Just about every base has a military museum of some kind, and I've been at many. I imagine the other services similarly arranged. But perhaps a central location for such would be worthwhile.

I very nearly suggested that such a place be run by the Smithsonian, but I think it more appropriate for vets of the various branches run the various divisions within the museum.

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:09:25 +0000

I guess Ralphie is lamenting the lack of an equivalent to Britain's Imperial War Museum or the French Musee de l'Armee in our capital city. The Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH is probably the best in the world for its collection of military aircraft, but it's not in DC.