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THETHE INFANTRYINFANTRY L INFANTRY NA MU IO SE T U A M N Heritage2009 2019 Letter HeritageVOL. 18 ISSUE 4 LetterOCTOBER 2020 HeritageHeritage . LetterLetter C HeritageA Letter HeritageO Letter L G U G M N BU NI S / FORT BEN for an experience to remember INSIDE THIS ISSUE Outside at the NIM 2 Keeping it Clean 3 GWOT Rededication Plans 4 Korean Hero Remembered 5 Soldier Store Reimagined! 6 Summer Camp With Masks 6 School “Tours” Without Masks 6 NATIONAL INFANTRY MUSEUM FOUNDATION 1775 Legacy Way Columbus, Georgia 31903 706.653.9234 nationalinfantrymuseum.org Page 2 National Infantry Museum You CAN Visit the NIM Over the Holidays! It feels like it’s been forever since we’ve seen you! Actually, it’s only been nine months, but as any Soldier will tell you, nine months at Fort Benning IS forever! The National Infantry Museum shut its doors in mid-March as COVID-19 began marching across the country. When other attractions began reopen- ing over the summer, the NIM took another route. We invited the Army’s trainees to come back, to make sure they got the heritage training that is such a critical part of their education. But to do that, we had to assure the Army that no one else could enter the bubble. Protecting the health of our nation’s fighting force was top priority. But now these young men and women are getting a welcome and well-de- serve break from Army life. And while they’re away for Holiday Block Leave, the museum will get to open its doors again to everyone. The only hitch is that the reopening will last for only three weeks, from December 19 through Janu- ary 10. Mark your calendars right now, so you don’t miss this brief opportunity to be inspired by stories of American Infantrymen. Rest assured, you’ll be visiting a museum that’s as clean and spit-polished as its been for the Soldiers. Our housekeeping crew will keep high-touch areas like railings, door knobs and elevator buttons sanitized. Masks will be required of all guests age 5 and older. Social distancing will be enforced. Even if you’ve visited the museum many times before, you can expect to see something new this time. The NIM’s temporary gallery will feature dialogue that may help veterans and their families with Canine Warriors – Courage and Sacrifice, Always Beside You, a traveling psychological healing. exhibition designed by Ohio master The Wounded Warrior Dog exhibit is in the muse- craftsman James Mellick. It features um’s temporary gallery, located in the Fort Benning 12 wooden dog sculptures intended gallery. It will be open during the museum’s regular not only to demonstrate the vital role operating hours. January 10 is the last day to see this military working dogs play in combat, traveling exhibit. but to be symbolic of the sacrifices made by the dogs’ wounded human The reopening also means we’ll be able to keep companions. The primary mission The Polar Express holiday tradition alive! We’ll sell only is to focus attention on the needs of a third of the available seats during each screening, wounded veterans. to ensure social distancing. Also new this year is the Mellick spent about 160 hours ability to purchase your tickets online at www.nation- carving each of the animals. The alinfantrymuseum.org/theater. Buy now, in case your artist hopes the exhibit will open up preferred show times sell out! Board of Directors National Advisory Board LTG Tom Metz, Chairman Mr. Jim Weaver, Chairman LTG Carmen Cavezza, Chairman Emeritus GEN Chuck Jacoby, Vice Chairman Dr. Carl Savory, Vice Chairman GEN Lloyd Austin MG Ken Leuer Mr. Brian Abeyta Mrs. Becky Rumer Mr. Jim Balkcom LTG Tom Metz Mr. Mark Baker Mr. Heath Schondelmayer LTG Mike Barbero COL Ralph Puckett Mr. John Hargrove Mr. John Shinkle LTG Jerry Bates Mr. Tom Rabaut Sen. Hunter Hill Mr. Michael Silverstein MG J.B. Burns GEN Bill Richardson Mr. Tony Link Ms. Lisa Smith LTG Carmen Cavezza Gov. Tom Ridge Mr. Frank Lumpkin III HON Judy Thomas LTG Charles W. “Bill” Dyke GEN Robert W. RisCassi Mr. Warner Neal Mr. Robert Ward III GEN Larry Ellis COL Mike Sierra Mr. Chuck Rossi MG Carl Ernst LTG Mike Spigelmire LTG Mike Ferriter MG William Steele Ex-Officio Members LTG Tom Fields Mr. Mat Swift BG David Hodne LTG Ben Freakley Mr. Fred Taylor COL (Ret) Mike Burns Mr. Joe Galloway LTG Sam Wetzel Mr. Bill Barnello LTG Dave Grange MG Jerry White Mr. Dave Hanselman Mrs. Richard Hallock GEN John Wickham Mrs. Chris Henson GEN Buck Kernan MG Walt Wojdakowski Mrs. Jean McKee MG Will Latham BG Jim Yarbrough Mayor Skip Henderson LTG John LeMoyne Mayor Eddie Lowe The Infantry Heritage Letter Page 3 “Our nation’s thanks may never be enough.” Commanding General Vows to Keep Memories Alive Nineteen years after 9/11, names are still being added to the Global War on Terrorism Memorial at the National Infantry Museum. At the same time, new members are joining the club no one wants to be a part of -- Gold Star families. Loved ones of the war’s fallen came from across the country – from New Hampshire to California, from Utah to Virginia – for the redi- cation of the memorial. Forty new names were added to the memorial’s granite panels, bringing the total to 7,032. Each, a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine killed in service since 9/11. Fort Benning Commanding General MG Patrick Donahoe was Guest speaker and Maneuver Center of Ex- the keynote speaker for the rededication ceremony cellence MG Patrick Donahoe embraced more than 350 Gold Star family members with warm words of welcome and appreciation. “Let these hallowed grounds always be a home for you, where you can feel the love of our Gold Star com- munity, and the endless gratitude of our nation,” he said. Gold Star family members find camaraderie and support at the annual event. At a dinner the night before the rededication and on the museum grounds the day of the ceremony, they share stories, tears and hugs. Nearly all tell us how the event has aided their journey toward healing. MG Donahoe acknowledged their special kind of sacrifice. “You are the mothers, the fathers, the sons, the daughters, the sisters, the brothers, the aunts, the uncles, cousins, and friends who absorbed the true cost of the civilized world’s fight against barbarism. Whether soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, or coast guardsmen, they volunteered, and you stood to support them. Our nation’s thanks may never be enough, but it is my fervent hope that it fills in some small way the void of their loss.” Rededication ceremonies are held every year on the first Saturday after Labor Day. If you know any Gold Star family members, urge them to contact us at rgoodman@nationalinfantry- foundation.org so they can receive a personal invitation to future events. The next rededication event will be September 10-11, 2021, at the National Infantry Museum. Turnout grows considerably each year as more families learn of this inspirational and healing event. The National Infantry Museum Foundation appreciates donations and sponsorships to help show our support for Gold Star families. ABOVE TOP: Guest speakers at the Gold Star Family Dinner were Kevin Graves, Kristin Weber and Kisha Patterson. MIDDLE: Air Force SMSGT Steven Reedy reads the 40 names added to the memorial. BOTTOM: On behalf of sponsor Liberty Utilities, NIM Foundation Chairman LTG (Ret) Tom Metz hands out commemorative coins to Gold Star Family members. BELOW is a gallery of photographs from the two-day event. Page 4 National Infantry Museum Soldiers-Turned-Civil Servants Remembered Everyone loved Uncle Bob Ranger fought Vietcong, then Drugs Bob Poydasheff gleefully joined other dignitaries in detonating the TNT at Family members, friends and community leaders the museum’s “ground shaking” event in 2006. Not just because guys like from both Columbus and Fort Benning honored the blowing things up, but because he was so incredibly proud that a $100 million late Milton Lockett, Jr., the Army’s first African-Ameri- museum was being built in what he called Columbus South, a part of the city can Ranger Instructor and beloved Columbus activist, he fought hard to revitalize. As mayor of Columbus 2003-2007 and a retired at the unveiling of a new display in the National Infan- Army colonel who spent 24 years in service, the larger-than-life Poydasheff try Museum. was beloved by both the military and civilian communities. He died September Master Sergeant Lockett joined the Army in 24 at the age of 90. 1952 and served in the Korean War and two tours In the Army, Poydasheff was a parachutist and served a combat tour in in Vietnam. In 1959 he became the Army’s first Vietnam. He spent most of his military career in the Judge Advocate General African-American Ranger instructor. After retiring Corps, and was prominently figured in the trials of high-ranking officers in- from the Army, Lockett took his fight to the streets of volved in the My Lai incident. He also served as Legal Counsel to the Secre- Columbus, where drug dealers were turning once tary of the Army Bo Calloway. He was elected to the Ranger Hall of Fame for safe neighborhoods into crime zones. “Up with hope, his service to the Army Rangers and his dedication to the United States Army. down with dope,” was the catch phrase fellow activ- Poydasheff was instrumental in getting the new National Infantry Museum ists chanted on their marches.

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