A permanent tribute to the American G.I.
(Long Island, NY) In the face of cancelled air shows and the downgrading of NYC’s Fleet Week, Nassau County announced this week that the American G.I. will be forever honored on Long Island through the creation of the Museum of American Armor to be built at Old Bethpage Village Restoration.
Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano said that the establishment of the WWII Armor Museum in a setting of vintage farmhouses and country roads reminiscent of the WWII era Normandy countryside creates a virtual time machine that ensures indelible memories for families.
“We are watching powerful tributes to our American military reduced or eliminated across the nation and its just plain wrong,” he said. “An armor museum that honors every American G.I. will be created on county property this year which will not only pay tribute to those who have defended our nation but will also strengthen the county’s tourism and destination industry and provide a new source of revenue to help us continue to hold the line on property taxes.”
The Museum of American Armor began with a modest display of military vehicles at the American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport in 2009 and quickly grew to become one of the most important armor collections on public display in the Northeast. It will continue to play an integral role at the American Airpower Museum, but will now have a dedicated location in which to display and operate all of its tanks, armored cars, jeeps and support equipment.
Lawrence Kadish, founding Chairman of the Museum of American Armor, is providing a gift of $1,000,000 towards the creation of the museum.
“Our appreciation of history can be fickle in an age of iPhones, Instagrams, virtual realities, and Wikis. Our appreciation of our nation’s battles is often ignored,” he said. “Seeing these vehicles rumbling across an open field recreates a moment in time that allows us to fully honor our military and understand what was required of an entire generation whose sacrifices ensured the defeat of brutal enemies seeking world domination. Our goal is to bring the sights and sounds of American history to a new generation, and thereby pay tribute to those who have heroically defended our freedoms over the many decades.”
Plans call for the construction of a 25,000 square foot facility on the grounds of the Village. Operational vehicles that will be on public display include the iconic Sherman tank, a Stuart light tank used extensively by the Marines during their Pacific campaigns, a potent 155 mm howitzer, reconnaissance vehicles that acted as armored scouts for American forces, anti-aircraft guns and similar weapons that broke the back of the Axis powers during World War II. Other vehicles range from a classic LaSalle staff car in the markings of a Fleet Admiral to jeeps, weapons carriers and half-tracks.
In addition to World War II programs, tributes will be created to the American service men and women who have served in Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf, Afghanistan and the War on Terror so that the museum is able to fulfill its mission of honoring America’s defense of freedom throughout the decades.
