The United States military has one of the proudest and richest histories dating back to the Revolutionary War, with countless stories of sacrifices, heroism and patriotic efforts made in the defense of freedom. While many stories have been lost to time, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio, is trying to preserve as many of these stories as it can.
The museum was created six years ago and, with the help of its 15 to 20 volunteers who work there, it runs as a living remembrance for people who served in the military. However, there is one volunteer who stands out amongst the others because he teaches about our country’s military men and women both from the heart and from experience.
Retired Lt. Col. Richard L. Hoffman, a volunteer at the NVMM and former commander of the 367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the veterans at the museum who teaches visitors about the sacrifices service members have made.
When he with the 367th MPAD in 1978, the unit mission was, and still is, to tell the Army story. After telling the Army story during his military career, Hoffman now continues to tell the story of other service members from all branches to visitors of all knowledge levels. From people who are new to knowing the sacrifices veterans have made to people who are well aware of the sacrifices, volunteers like Hoffman continue to communicate service members’ love for their country, even when losing things or people closest to them.
“You will get to experience what a person in the military went through if you weren’t military, and if you were in the military, you can see that your time has been respected and honored here, and that you will always be remembered,” Hoffman said.
The museum also conducts events for veterans, such as Rally Point, held on the first Saturday of each month and led by a retired U.S. Navy SEAL, which assists veterans in obtaining Veterans Affairs benefits, Hoffman said. This event is also a venue for veterans to share their experiences and show the personal benefits of seeking PTSD treatment.
On May 18, 2019, the museum hosted members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association during a fundraiser ride, with proceeds being donated to various veterans charities. These veterans carried around and wore vests with various unit and deployment patches, as well as patches of unit mottos which hold a special place in the wearer’s heart.
When veterans visit the museum, whether with family, friends, or just by themselves, Hoffman has some objectives for them during his tour.
“The two missions for veterans are: to tell me if I did something wrong as far as information or facts I may mess up, and to tell their experiences as veterans,” Hoffman said.
The circular exterior of the NVMM is designed to represent the deployment cycle of service members, from preparation, to deployment, to returning and back to preparation, Hoffman said. Most importantly, Hoffman hopes that after visiting the museum, guests take a lesson or two with them, as well as an appreciation for their veterans and an understanding of their constant circular lifestyle.
“I hope that they learn that there are, and have been for 200 plus years, a lot of people who are willing to put their lives on the line for their country,” Hoffman said.
Architecturally, the NVMM is considered one of the top 10 best-designed buildings in the country after a recent $6 million renovation. Donations and volunteers are what keep the building up and running in order to keep the memories of U.S. service members alive, with additional projects planned for the future.
“New installments are coming into the museum like gift shops and foods that are new ways to make money for the building, as well as three busloads of seniors from the Korean War coming from Toledo to the museum,” Hoffman said.
The message Hoffman wants newcomers to the museum to understand is that United States veterans, their stories, and their sacrifices will never be forgotten.
“To me, the museum means that someone cares,” Hoffman said. “That I am remembered as a veteran and someone cares enough about me to do this museum the right way.”
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 11.03.2019 13:49 |
| Story ID: | 323055 |
| Location: | COLUMBUS, OH, US |
| Web Views: | 13 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, A Museum’s Remembrance of the Brave, by SGT Clevon Wright, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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