Legacy of the National Infantry Museum
“The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center opened in 2009 with one guiding mission: to honor the legacy and valor of the U.S. Army Infantryman.”1
When I graduated that August from Basic Training in Fort Benning, Ga, they made it clear that they didn’t just want incoming soldiers to be machines, but people too. We weren’t just taught how to fight, but the history of those who came before us; we were instilled with a sense of camaraderie and respect for those who came before us and those who will come after us. We, the infantry, have our own museum.
There, being completely free to the public, they have the purpose of educating all on war history of the United States—more importantly, the sacrifices many have made, and the impact they have on the families here, stateside. There are more than 70,000 artifacts at the museum, and they are all displayed in an educative format where one may either read panels, interact with some objects, or during special events, maybe even hear oral histories of those who’ve experienced combat. Those who’d ask if a soldier has ever killed anyone will not be appreciated.
Galleries and displays available include Global War on Terrorism Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Major Battles Gallery, a preserved WW2 training site outside of the theater, and the famous Hall of Valor, etc. People could go there to learn about Americas affairs internationally and domestically, and I would recommend anyone to stop by for a visit if they are in the area.
My graduation ceremony was on Inouye Field, on the museum grounds, past the palisades from the main entrance. The importance of this field is that it was where infantrymen from ‘the greatest generation’ graduated to go forth to fight the Nazi menace. Since then, the grass has grown to be different from the grass from the surrounding region, the trees have grown to be of a different color than those of the surrounding region, for the vegetation was fertilized with soil from the grounds of every major battle in the history of the United States military—everything from Saratoga, to Iwo Jima, to the Tet Offensive, to Ramadi, and everything in between. This place is quite literally an expression of the efforts the United States have underwent to maintain its values of liberty and ideals of individual freedom on the global stage. It was in the Halls of Valor, that I learned that the youngest Medal of Honor recipient was but only 14 years of age.
The legacy of the NIM has spread to the surrounding townships as well in other surprising ways. There has since been a new focus on Natives in the region and their relevance to local history. Even though it is only but attention and not really anything more (such has incorporation of natives stories, for example), it is still a step in the right direction for the sake of history, specifically in regards to the state’s especially racist past. The town of Columbus, next to the museum, is seeing an influx of youth moving there and setting up new art shops and cafés. Speaking to a local man, he told me that there is rumor that the areas first Native American restaurant might be opened in the area soon and preceded to tell me “How f****** cool would that be!”
1Written in stone outside the Rotunda in the Main Entrance of the National Infantry Museum (the NIM)