The below article appeared in the Saturday edition on February 21, 2009. Since the ABRC-AA will be having their annual Reunion in Fayetteville, NC November 5-8, 2009 I thought this article would be interesting to many of you would be attending.  This will be the main attraction for your Friday tour.

Charles Luther,2009 Reunion Coordinator

 

“Myra, my wife, and I took our second tour through the Airborne & Special Operations Museum,” Weeks Parker writes in an e-mail. “Our first tour of this fantastic museum was about 10 years ago, but many features have been added.

“One of the things that impressed us most was the addition of life-like models of soldiers in combat. These models, which appeared throughout the museum, were so real-seeming that, as I gazed into the eyes of one of them, I felt as thought he would start talking to me and telling me all about his experiences during World War II and other wars.

“As we toured the museum, there were many sounds of soldiers and civilians yelling as they were being bombed and fired upon. It was so real that it was almost like being there with them. I now understand why many who have been in combat have nightmares years after they have retired from the service.

“Many of our servicemen who are now in combat will probably also experience the agony of re-living their experiences through horrible nightmares that to them will seem like reality.

“As I looked at the pre-recorded sights and listened to the sounds in the museum, I was reminded of the old saying, ‘War is Hell.’

“At this very moment, thousands of our military are experiencing similar situations on foreign soil in order to keep us free. We should lift these men and women up in prayers daily and ask God to protect them and bring them home safely. They are paying a terrible price to keep us free.”

My turn: Agreed, Mr. Parker. And well said. Museum hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays, unless it is a federal holiday. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and Easter.

Admission is free, although donations are accepted. Cost to ride the Pitch, Roll and Yaw Vista-Dome Motion Simulator is $5. Cost to watch the movie, “Descending from the Clouds,” in the Yarborough-Bank Vistascope Theater is $4. A combination ticket for both is $8. No charge for children under 8, who are accompanied by a paying adult Call (910) 643-2766 (643-ASOM) or send e-mail inquiries to info@asomf.org

Bill Kirby can be reached at kirbyb@fayobserver.com or 323-4848, ext. 486.

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