National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, OH

Veteran’s Day falls on November 11^th every year. This day was chosen because of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I, signed on the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918. This year, The National Veterans Memorial and Museum opened on October 27^th in Columbus, Ohio to mark the 100^th anniversary of this day.

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum aims to show the common journey of all veterans, regardless of their branch or the time and place they served. It hopes to inspire visitors by showing the benefits gained through being part of something greater than just one person. This is the first and only museum in the country which honors all of our nations 22 million veterans. This Sunday, November 11^that 2 pm, the museum is hosting a special event featuring stories from a panel of veterans. They encourage veterans and their families to attend this event, where they will also gain free access to the museum.

The 20^th national museum dedicated by Congress was constructed along the Scioto River with very symbolic architecture. It’s made up of several rings which intersect, to represent the way in which the branches support one another. Because of its content and design, it was one of the most anticipated new buildings and museums to open in 2018. Columbus was chosen to be its home because the city has proven its dedication to veterans through the former Ohio Veteran’s Memorial, which was torn down to make room for the new museum.

The 50,000 square foot facility is located on 7 acres and includes a 2.5 acre Memorial Grove, banquet halls for gatherings and ceremonies, and both permanent and rotating exhibits. This museum sets itself apart by the way it focuses on the personal stories of veterans, both ordinary and unique. It showcases experiences service members have had and honors them for their dedication. The exhibits feature dozens of hours of videos with vets telling of their experiences in the military. By focusing on the stories of individuals, it extends beyond the purpose of being solely a military memorial or museum.

There are dozens of other museums, monuments, and memorials across the country which honor our servicemen and women. Almost all of these are dedicated to specific wars or other conflicts. These sites all offer interesting ways to learn about and honor our nations veterans. No matter where you live in the country, visiting such sites can help to understand and appreciate all that our veterans have worked through. We at MobilityWorks honor and thank our veterans and remember their incredible sacrifices during Veteran’s Day this year. To see the assistance we can offer to veterans, visit this list of resources on our website. For more information on the museum, you can visit their site here.