Honoring Our Ancestors For Their Service

A few times each year we like to take short 4-day getaways to places that are new to both of us. This was the case when we planned a short trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. I had only been there for a national educator’s conference that provided me with some great professional learning, but not many authentic New Orleans experiences.

As usually happens, we start researching the local foods, customs, sites and locations that would make this trip one to remember. The places high on our list included a local cemetery tour, the St. Louis Cathedral, bignets and muffalettas, cafe ole, and jazz music playing in the streets. The one place we knew the least about was the National World War II Museum and it made our list as a last-minute addition. Little did we know, but the day we went to the museum was one of our best travel days ever!

The National WWII Museum provided state-of-the-art immersion-based exhibits that place you in the identity of a US soldier and places you and your character on board a transport train and in the middle of the Pacific and/or the European Theaters. Some of the experiences were so authentic that I remained in a perpetual state of tear-filled eyes and elevated heart rate. I remember thinking it was a small price to pay in comparison to the sacrifices of those who served our country and fought for the freedom of so many around the globe.

Among the exhibits with their realistic sound effects and artifacts, we learned so much from our journey. With two of our grandparents having served in WWII there was a connection to the museum that brought memories of and respect for them to a whole new level. The museum has an adopt-a-brick program for honoring those veterans who served not only our own country, but partnered with allies around the globe in the Great War. We purchased bricks for our grandfathers and think of them as a memorial to mark their heroic efforts in that war.

Even if you have no personal connections to World War II, we highly encourage you to visit this museum. As a country, very few of our WWII veterans are among the living. Their histories and contributions to our country and to the citizens of so many other countries deserve to be remembered and honored. The National WWII Museum provides us with a window back in time and ability to learn from the choices of the past – America’s past and our planet’s past. The next time you are in New Orleans, visit the National WWII Museum and whisper thanks to those who fought so bravely in solidarity with others around the globe. You’ll be glad you did!

Happy Walking