We're getting our first look at the The National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM), which is set to open this Fall in Columbus, Ohio.
The dedication for the $82 million museum and memorial grove will be held on Oct. 27 beginning at 2:00pm, and the keynote speaker will be retired U.S. Army Gen. Colin Powell.
"What makes this place unique is how it includes every veteran's story," explained Amy Taylor, Chief Operating Officer of The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC), which has served as project manager. "It's so much more than a museum; it's a place that honors the service of veterans from every era, and will tell their story for generations to come."
"One of my favorite parts of the museum will literally capture veteran's stories, in their own words," explained Taylor. It's called the Veteran Video Booth, and just like photo booths, people can sit inside and create a moment that will live forever. "It's not like a long format oral history project, but rather it will guide people with a few quick questions, and allow them to easily share one of their favorite stories from their days in the military. It wll be a fun and interactive way for the museum to share stories that would normally never be heard."
NVMM will also feature a series of produced videos entitled, Stories of Service. "Over the course of production, I've watched them hundreds of times, and I still tear up. Not because they're sad, but because each one of them are truly inspiring."
Taylor explained how the museum will even start conversations within families, "My Dad was in the Navy, and we never talked about it much. But since I've been involved with this project, we've talked more about those days than we ever did in my entire life. It's really been an amazing way to connect."
From multi-media exhibits, to artifacts, to an outdoor ampitheater, NVMM will be a destination to honor veterans and a place for them to remember and reflect.
"But the best part of the museum," said Taylor, "Is that every veteran will get the chance to contribute and to leave a little bit themselves behind."