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Published Thursday, February 02, 2012 in Opinion

We encourage a daylong visit to the $100 million National Infantry Museum

Editorial

On Veterans Day in November, a group of Coweta County veterans boarded a bus for a trip down to Fort Benning and a visit to The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.

We've heard some impressive stories about the museum and decided to pay a visit to the $100 million, 190,000-square foot facility just out the gates of Fort Benning on Fort Benning Drive.

This is an impressive museum and soldier center. We were told by a greeter at the door they had many Newnan and Coweta County visitors. We know many people in our community have a great interest in veterans, military history and the U.S. Army. If you are one of those people, a visit to the Infantry Museum and Soldier Center is a must.

It's open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It is closed on Mondays. Admission is a voluntary donation. Depending on your interest, we would suggest you allocate up to a full day for the visit.

The state-of-the-art facility tells the story of the U.S. Army Infantryman from the American Revolution until Afghanistan. There are displays of artifacts from all eras of American history with many interactive exhibits.

Upon entering the building you will walk "The Last 100 Yards," the museum's signature exhibit with life-sized dioramas depicting significant battles in Infantry history. Then you walk into The Benning Gallery for a look at Fort Benning's training environment, plus a history of this important Army post with a land area that stretches into four counties and two states.

After The Benning Gallery you head downstairs and experience the specific eras of Infantry history -- The International Stage (1898-1920), World War II (1920-1947), The Cold War -- Korean and Vietnam (1947-1989), The Sole Superpower (1989-Present).

Also, in the museum is the Hall of Valor, which pays tribute to the American Infantrymen who received the Medal Of Honor, The Family Gallery, The Infantry Theater, Officer Candidate School Hall of Honor, Ranger Hall of Honor and World War II Company Street, which is just outside the museum and includes historic buildings from Fort Benning's history.

We recommend a day's visit to The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. This is indeed an impressive facility. If you are interested in the U.S. Army and its history, your time there will be time well spent.

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