Multi-National Division-Central

Story by Staff Sgt. Amber Emery

By Staff Sgt. Amber Emery
Multi-National Division - Central

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – The United States Army has a long, proud history dating back to 1775 and the time of colonial militias, spanning to our current operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries throughout the World. The future National Museum of the U.S. Army will ensure that legacy is never forgotten by future generations.

Millions of Soldiers have passed through the ranks over the decades, some paying the ultimate sacrifice, each earning their right to a page in the history of a grateful nation.

"No history of our nation is complete without telling the incredible story of the Army and the American Soldier. Our country's heritage is one of freedom, an inalienable right that was not given to our people, but won with great effort," said Sgt. Maj. John Heinrichs, Office of the Sergeant Major of the Army, Chief of Staff of the Army.

A registry of American Soldiers was established by the National Museum to provide an opportunity for anyone who served in the Army to have his or her name and service history placed on record at the museum.

"If you served, you owe it to the American people to show your service in the registry. If you have a family member who served in the Army, living or deceased, you can register their name and service history," said Heinrichs.

In 2007, Keith Eastin, Assistant Secretary of the Army, was appointed as the project leader for the National Museum of the U. S. Army by Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and Army Chief of Staff General George W. Casey, Jr. According to Eastin, this action confirmed the U.S. Army's firm commitment to the completion of the facility.

"The museum will preserve, study and interpret more than 750,000 artifacts and works of art dating back to the days of the Continental Army to present day," said Heinrichs. "The vast majority of these rare and priceless artifacts have never been seen by the American people."

The construction of the 156,000 square foot facility will begin in 2010 at Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County, Va., about 15 miles south of Washington, D.C.

The final decision on the exact location of the complex should be made sometime in 2008, with the anticipated opening of the museum being 2013.

Visit the National Museum of the U.S. Army Web site to register at http://www.armyhistory.org/.

Control Panel