WWII Weekend at Museum of American Armor pays tribute to Marines

When the Museum American Armor's military column takes to the field during World War II Weekend at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, May 19th - 20th, visitors are propelled back into a time when the world's future was at risk.

A rare operational U.S. Marine amphibious assault vehicle, similar to those that stormed Japanese held beaches during World War II, will be at the center of World War II Weekend to be held on Saturday, May 19th and Sunday May 20th, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., at the Museum of American Armor inside Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, Long Island.

The massive LVT will be joined by scores of military living historians who will operate tanks, halftracks, armored cars and artillery in field exercises that recall an era when democracy was under attack.

World War II Encampment Weekend will also challenge youngsters with mock field exercises while reenactors present uniforms, tactics, and weapons of that era against a backdrop of an armor parade that rivals the newsreels of 70 years ago.

Honoring the Marines comes on the 75th anniversary of their bloody assault on the Japanese island fortress of Tarawa, where thousands of Americans died to take the Pacific outpost. Many of the hard-earned lessons from this amphibious attack would be studied by American forces in subsequent battles that eventually pushed the Imperial Japanese Empire back to its home islands before eventual surrender.

Also on hand will be living historian Gary Stamm, whose presentation as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) has educators commending him for “bringing to life one of the most important Presidents of the 20th Century.”

One of the more favored exhibits is a genuine military field kitchen, where a living historian prepares some of the meals that were dished out to G.I.’s desperate for a warm meal, even if the taste still fails to meet today’s food critics’ standards.

Museum founder Mr. Lawrence Kadish stated, “World War II will continue to fascinate current and future generations because the stark confrontation between good and evil is so dramatic. In addition, literally everyone has someone in their family’s history who fought in the war, survived the carnage in Europe or Asia, or was lost during that conflict. At a time when few in the classroom can recognize the events of this war, much less its lessons, this effort could not come soon enough.”

History Channel’s Historian Emeritus Dr. Libby O’Connell said, “This museum is a unique commitment by public and private sectors to preserve and present a seminal chapter in the history of our nation... and our world. It is worth a visit by every American family, regardless of their ethnicity, because this is the story of all of us.”

Museum board member Frederick Daum, an executive with PSEG Long Island, explained, “The museum remains a compelling family destination, one that offers powerful insight into every family’s connection to our American heritage.”

Admission is $12 for adults and $7 for children (5-12), seniors (60+), handicapped, and volunteer firefighters (please provide ID).

For more information, go to www.museumofamericanarmor.org or friend them on Facebook.