AMERICANS IN WARTIME

2013 OPEN HOUSE

The Americans in Wartime Museum thanks museum friends that joined us for 2013 open house weekend. We hope you enjoyed the event as much as we enjoy bringing it to you. A veterans roundtable was held both days and the museum friends learned first hand of the veterans experience in all facets of military service. The veterans were issued a name plate identifying their branch of service and period served in. Children with their parents looked for and asked the veterans to sign a paper. Children collecting five names were awarded a prize. The children met veterans and both had a great time.

We also extend many thanks to the military history groups that work hard to demonstrate a soldiers life. The information they pass to the public brings the armor, trucks and displays to life. Their time and work to provide excellent displays and history are a great asset to open house.

Hard Times Cafe made history again with the "BEST CHILI-DOGS " on the planet. A new vendor Boodacades BBQ joined open house serving delicious BBQ sandwiches and ribs. Thanks to Hard Times Cafe and Boodacades BBQ for their generous support by providing volunteers and re-enactors free meals for the event .Thanks also to Bruce Tandy Audio for the public address system setup and support. We enjoyed good weather on Saturday, rain on Sunday slowed things down but the show carried on with a fair turnout.

CLICK ON PICTURES WITH GREEN BORDER TO ENLARGE
The Americans in Wartime Museum will preserve "911 Steel" as a memorial to honor all of those lost in the tragic attack on the United States on September 11, 2001. The firetruck from Squad 252 New York was delivered by tractor trailer from New York. Each state provided a police escort to the first stop, the Pentagon. From the Pentagon to the Tank Farm on most of the overpasses firemen saluted the Squad 252 Firetruck as it passed. On the arrival at Prince William County Building a ceremony was held to honor Squad 252 and all first responders. The Firetruck was then escorted to the tankfarm where it was placed under protective cover.

WAR DOGS

The next five pictures show a highly trained K-9 sniffing for IED's. He covers both sides of the road keeping his trainer from harm. In the fourth and fifth pictures he has discovered the IED simulator and indicates that by sitting down.

The last ten pictures show the discipline of a K-9 as he pursues and restrains one of the trainers who acts as a villain. The dogs are commanded by hand signals. The demonstration was excellent and a learning experience for the visitors.