National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning

The National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning opened almost 1 year ago! Here is a news release covering the Grand Opening:

Thousands Attend National Infantry Museum’s Grand OpeningJune 20th, 2009


Columbus, Georgia - June 19, 2009:

It was one of the hottest days of the summer, and 5,000 bottles of water seemed to evaporate into thin air. But the 6,000 people who came to witness the Grand Opening of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center refused to let a little sweat ruin the day.

The day began with a Fort Benning Infantry school graduation on the parade field adjacent to the new museum. Afterward, the crowd moved to the front of the museum for the ribbon cutting ceremony. After an introduction by National Infantry Foundation Chairman MG (Ret.) Jerry White and remarks by Columbus Mayor Jim Wetherington, Fort Benning Commanding General Michael Barbero and U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop, guest speaker Gen. (Ret.) Colin S. Powell took the stage.



“Let me point out that this would not be a certified official Fort Benning ceremony if it was not 95 degrees and the troops were not in the sun,” Powell joked. He went on to talk about his own experiences at the “Fort Benning School for Boys,” his and his wife Alma’s first Army home. It was here, Powell said, that he learned about leadership.



He praised the museum for making “a hero of the Infantry itself.”

“This site is much more than a mere memorial, and the word museum is entirely inadequate to describe it.” Powell said. “It’s the only attraction in the country to tell the story of the Infantry from the perspective of the soldier.”

Next, the official party cut a big red ribbon strung between two columns supporting the museum’s rotunda. They used a Revolutionary War Infantry Officer’s Sword, the same sword used by General Omar N.Bradley to open the original National Infantry Museum on Fort Benning on July 1, 1977. At the same moment, giant billowing panels of red and white fabric hung between each set of columns fell to the ground, unveiling the newly opened doors to the museum.

Within minutes, a line of people wanting tobegin their visit with a stroll up the Last 100 Yards snaked throughout the museum’s lobby. As they left, many - including General Powell - said ‘thank you’ for what the museum represents.

“Among many other things this is what we owe to those who went before. This is the place. This is the home. This is their legacy.”