Remembering Those Who Served

I was driving home from an appointment today, when I turned on the radio, and heard the local radio celebrity broadcasting live from the Berks Military History Museum.

Within seconds, I was sucked into the excitement and I knew that there was no way that I could pass on making a quick detour to check out the place myself. 

Imagine my surprise to learn that it is less than 4 miles from my house!

It was certainly perfect timing on my part, as the radio event had just completed when I pulled into the parking lot behind the building.

Today was the one year anniversary of the museum opening, and I was eager at this point, to pop inside and take a peek.

The first thing that caught my eye was the photographic equipment on display.

Unfortunately, you are going to see a lot of the light fixtures reflecting in the glass, as most of the holdings were carefully displayed in viewing boxes.

I turned around, and right in front of me was memorabilia preserved from World War I. 

two operation maps, of which I photographed one,

and a man in uniform.

Through the doorway was a room devoted to women who served.

Other rooms were brimming with uniforms from various campaigns,

as well as all kinds of interesting and unusual items. 

There was a machine for making dog tags,

a cabinet filled with military prayer books throughout the years,

medals

money

and loads of various war time items.

And that was just the downstairs!

I then ventured up the stairs of this old historic building to see what treasures awaited.

Hanging from the ceiling was a replica of an actual B-29 that crashed in Saipan in May 1945.

The model airplane had been built to memorialize a Berks County native was flying on the ill-fated B-29 Superfortress. Much to my surprise, I soon found myself chatting with the sister of this casualty, and learned that he continues to be MIA.  She wore a button, displaying his wartime photo, upon her lapel.  After a brief conversation, I learned that she was very interested in attending the DPAA family meeting in September, but she had no way of getting there.  I offered to take her, as Marty and I had already planned on attending, and she readily accepted my offer.   She was a delightful woman and I can't help but think that our future adventure will be quite entertaining! 

But back to my tour: 

At least half of this upstairs room is adorned with a diorama that was painstakingly put together by the local volunteers.  It is devoted to the Battle of the Bulge.  Here you see Bastogne,

 as well as the Hurtgen Forest.

Two operating trains run through the display adding the finishing touch.

By this time, I realized that the museum was ready to close up for the day, so I headed outside for one last look.  That's when I realized that outside the front of the building stands a beam from the World Trade Center along with this engraved stone.

Never would I have dreamed that I would have stumbled upon such an amazing find so close to home.

If you live in the area, you should consider making a visit.  The open hours are limited:  Saturday from 11:00 am- 1:00  pm, so you really do need to plan ahead.  

Also, keep in mind, that the museum holding have all been donated, and they are more than happy to accept any items that you are willing to part with.

So, here's a shout out to those who have spent so much time and energy putting together this unique collection of military items.  

Great job!