Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Pictures from Ft Benning.










In sequence, the Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, a beautiful new facility just outside the main gate.

When you first enter the museum, you see the well known "Follow Me" statue.
You then walk up a ramp and quite literally, through American and World History.
Disney quality dioramas start with Breeds Hill during the Revolution, go on to Antietam in the Civil War, The Spanish American War, World Wars One and Two, Korea, 'Nam and finally the current War on Terror.
There are separate sections in the gallery with extensive artifacts, recordings and information from each era.
At the end of the Cold War section, there is an actual piece of the Berlin Wall, with President Ronald Reagan's famous "Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate, tear down this wall!" speech playing.
Goose bump time, to be sure.

Follows pictures from the graduation, including Ariel standing with his good friend Trottier.
They first met at Fort Lewis, WA when they did their LDAC course two years ago.
Many of these young men will cross paths throughout their careers.
Lifelong friendships were formed.
The Colonel said "Save your maps, your paperwork. It will mean a lot to both yourselves and your families someday when you are older." Wise advice from someone who has been there.

Sprinkled among the pix are a few of his proud parents, including the ever loveliest Army Mom, Queen Felicia, and of course our own young Lt, of whom we are very proud!
All of our love and prayers to out to him.

2 comments:

Phil said...

AJ, is this museum open to the public? I'd like to visit it with Tanya some day. Do you know the hours/days of operation?
Thanks.

Kimberly Long Cockroft said...

I can't believe how old my cousin looks. Very grown-up. You all have such reason to be proud of him.