The Alabama Veterans
Museum hosted the August Chamber Coffee to one of the
Chamber's largest crowds. Approximately 84 members, guest
and friends attended this month's coffee. Director Sandy
Thompson, was very pleased with the attendance and the
interest everyone had in the museum and plans to have
another Chamber Coffee next June.
Chamber President,
Hugh Ball, will be retiring this month, this was his last
Coffee to attend as president. His replacement has not been
made public, however is thought to have been decided. Hugh
has been the Chamber president for the past 7 years.
The Alabama Veterans
Museum and Archives, located in the old L&N Freight Depot in
Athens, was the brainchild of the late Limestone County,
Alabama, Veterans Service Officer Kenneth David. After
collecting artifacts for an exhibit to commemorate the 50th
anniversary of the end of World War II in 1995, Ken still
had many artifacts left after the exhibit closed that
contributors didn’t retrieve. He wanted a permanent place to
display the artifacts to honor the brave men and women from
the Civil War to the present who fought and died to keep our
land free.
The Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives opened its doors in
2000 with a few primitive displays and much renovation work
still to be done. We had our Grand Opening and Dedication
service on Nov. 10, 2002. Our guest speaker was Johnny Spann
of Winfield, Ala., father of Mike Spann, the first American
killed in Afghanistan in the wake of the terrorist attack on
America. One week later, Ken David lost his battle with
cancer.
The museum is divided into three areas: the Tyler Craig
Memorial Library; the Bob McAbee Exhibit Hall, and the
Wendell Powers Auditorium to commemorate the untold hours of
volunteer labor these three museum board members gave, and
continue to give, to this building.
We have heard it commented by visitors who have seen
military museum throughout the U.S. that the charm of this
museum is that it celebrates the accomplishments and
sacrifices of the local service person and their family on
the home front, rather than extolling the oft-told glory of
their commanders.
Come visit the Alabama
Veterans Museum and Archives Monday-Saturday 9-3, come out
on the first Saturday of every month for 'Coffee Call' a
light breakfast for veterans and their families to visit
with other local veterans and be reconized for their
contributions to our Country.
For large group tours
call 256.771.7578, to become a member or volunteer of the
Veterans Museum contact Director Sandy Thompson or
Secretary, Vicki Bedingfield.
Visit
www.AlabamaVeteransMusuem.com
Teresa Todd
AthensPlus.com
August 16th, 2011
