Photo By Max Lonzanida | Submitted Photo by Clay Farrington. Museum Director, John Pentangelo, of the Hampton...... read more read more
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On March 28, 2017, President Donald J. Trump, signed into law the Vietnam War Recognition Act of 2017; which formally designated March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The day joins six other military centered national observances, including Veterans Day and Memorial Day, which honor and commemorate the service and sacrifices of service members who have served.
In a commemorative ceremony held in conjunction with Vietnam Veterans Day aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, John Pentangelo, Director of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum announced their plans to showcase the United States Navy’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The new exhibit, titled “The Ten-Thousand Day War at Sea”, is slated to open in October 2019; and will be incorporated into nearly 4,700 square feet of its gallery located on the second floor of Nauticus in Downton Norfolk, Virginia.
The announcement was made in front of a crowd of over 250 sailors from nearly 16 different area commands in the Hampton Roads Area. Vietnam Veterans from the Game Wardens Association and PBR Forces Veterans Association were also present in force. Speaking at the event was Rear Admiral Jesse A. Wilson, Jr, Commanding Officer of Naval Surface Force Atlantic, and Vietnam Veterans Captain Eddie Lee Duckworth, USN (Ret.) and Larry Weatherall from the Game Wardens Association.
Pentangelo hinted at the scale of work performed by staff members at the museum in preparation for the exhibit. He noted that staff members have “combed the National Archives and [the exhibit] will include hundreds of images and archival film clips. Drawing on the artifact collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command, our sister museums, and our local veterans, the exhibit will feature never before seen artifacts such as a 25-foot long Vietnamese sampan captured by river patrol forces in 1968 while it was transporting ammunition to the Viet Cong near Saigon.”
Elements of the new immersive exhibit will include “activities of the naval intelligence and special warfare communities, the Surface Navy, Naval Air Power, Riverine Operations, and the vast capabilities of the United States Navy’s logistical and non-combat support establishment.” Another component of the new exhibit incorporates oral histories from over 40 US Navy Veterans in the Hampton Roads area that were captured and edited by their Exhibits Specialist, Don Darcy; along with Director of Education Laura Orr and Deputy Director of Education Elijah Palmer. The museum's Curator and Deputy Director, Joseph Judge and Registrar, Katherine Renfrew along with scores of volunteers also assisted in the planning, conceptual design and selection of artifacts for the bold new exhibit.
Pentangelo also hinted about the museum’s on-going commitment to teaching future CPO selectees during their signature CPO Heritage Days aboard the decommissioned Iowa-Class Battleship, USS Wisconsin (BB-64) about the Vietnam War and its legacy today. He also mentioned their quarterly historical publication, The Daybook, and its recent issues which chronicle elements of the US Navy’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Many in the audience had the most recent copy of The Daybook as part of the program of events that was distributed by sailors assigned to Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads and JEB Little Creek-Fort Story’s Security Department. The Daybook is edited by the museum's historian, Clay Farrington, and includes contributions from their staff members and volunteers.
Lastly, Pentangelo talked about the debut of the museums ancillary Facebook page which is “dedicated solely to the Navy in Vietnam”, where rich historical content will be posted to complement the new exhibit.
In summary, the exhibit’s mission statement notes that the new exhibit “will educate visitors about the pivotal role played by the United States Navy in the Vietnam War (1950-1975). Using the U.S. Navy’s rich historical collections, multi-media presentations, and interactive components, the exhibit will encourage family learning, thoughtful discourse, and recognition for the sacrifices of over 1.8 million sailors who served during the conflict.”
| Date Taken: | 03.29.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.29.2019 16:48 |
| Story ID: | 316241 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 452 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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