Tuesday, Jun. 23, 2009

Getting the word out

By now you likely know the National Infantry Museum has opened.

As a volunteer and fan of the museum for many years I can assure you it is truly a spectacular facility.

The history of our fighting men is worth remembering in such a fashion because we enjoy the freedoms we have in this country, thanks to the sacrifices of our veterans in many bloody conflicts. Remembering those sacrifices, regardless of military service or branch or gender, is important.

Infantrymen deserve the center stage in military history as the soldiers who face death and injury up close because of their role of closing with an enemy face to face.

All our military service men and women risk their lives in the service of this nation, yet the infantry has always born this burden with pride. As pointed out at the Infantry Museum, the last 100 yards of an attack belong to the infantry. Our community is now blessed with a magnificent tribute to this history of courage and sacrifice.

The gallery entry ramp inside the museum leads each visitor into the world of the American infantryman. You first encounter the Revolutionary War soldier who sometimes fought with a bayonet to capture a position.

Scenes from the Civil War and both world wars clearly portray the difficulties and inherent danger that our infantrymen have always overcome.

A close view of more modern systems and wars shows how the technology of war has changed but the role of the infantryman to close with the enemy by fire and maneuver remains timeless.

After walking this “Last Hundred Yards,” you walk through the galleries and review the history of Fort Benning, with its important place in this community as a center for training, an employer and a neighbor. More galleries throughout the building recall the history of the infantry and the contributions of infantrymen to the security of our nation.

I served in the field artillery in my career and supported a number of infantry units in my duties.

It is a privilege now to have some small part as a member of this community in paying homage to the service provided by all those infantrymen I’ve known or known of, including many relatives and a host of friends. They earned this tribute.

The National Infantry Museum is also more than a museum. It provides a solid basis for attracting visitors to the community.

Educational programs including a summer camp will help children understand the history of our country and the truism that “freedom isn’t free.” The restaurant and IMAX theater enrich the recreational opportunities on the south side of Columbus.

We really need to take advantage of this opportunity to enrich our community and ensure that people outside Columbus know that we are here.

From a museum view alone our city is becoming a remarkable place to visit with the Armor museum coming and the other museums and historical sites already here we are growing a remarkable suite of tourism opportunities related to history. We are very fortunate and should work to ensure other people know about this.

John M. House is a retired Army colonel who lives in Midland, Ga. His e-mail is housearmylife@aol.com.