Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
World War II was a devastating global conflict from 1939 to 1945 that pitted Allied Powers, including the United States, against the Axis powers.
It has been described as one of the deadliest conflicts in history, involving more than 50 countries and resulting in an estimated 70 to 85 million deaths. The trigger was the German invasion of Poland on Sept. 1, 1939, which then prompted Britain and France to declare war on Germany.
The Western Allies launched the D-Day Invasion of Normandy in 1944. The overall conflict would end with the fall of Berlin and Germany’s unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945, commonly known as V-E Day. Approximately 417,000 Americans died in WWII with 250,000 being in the European Theater.
A New River Valley man hopes to bring all of the above plus details of the conflict to the public with the opening of a new WWII Museum in Blacksburg.
Joseph Collins is the curator and owner of the historic site and served four years in the U.S. Marines and another six in the Army Airborne, which included two tours in Iraq. He still jumps with reserve units including Normandy last year.
Collins said after months of work and dedication, he is excited to open the museum.
“I want visitors to walk through history, explore authentic artifacts and hear stories that shaped our nation,” he said. “I was motivated as both of my grandfathers had served in WWII and as a young boy was always intrigued by their stories.”
The key, according to Collins, is to educate youngsters about what happened.
The site includes a walking tour and this is self-guided and mostly interactive. Scattered throughout the museum are a full-sized jeep, weapons used during the time span, a MASH hospital exhibit, plenty of uniforms, medals and equipment. Most of those items are from Collins’ personal collection.
As visitors walk through the museum, it is interactive with motion detectors that trigger documentaries that tell the stories.
A living-WWII soldier, Saunders Webster, cut the ribbon at the museum’s opening this past week. Webster was an Army PFC, serving with the 56th Armored Battalion of the 12th Division as a mortar man. He participated in the Battle of the Comar Pocket in France and was later wounded in Kessingen, Germany and was awarded a Purple Heath. He recently turned 100 years old.
The opening also included a special flyover of three T-6 Texan aircraft, which were similar to ones used during WWII.
Collins hopes to add more exhibit items in the future, including special presentations on the life of soldiers like Christmas in Europe. The nearest similar facility is located in Bedford, but the Blacksburg site is the only one in southwest Virginia. Collins hopes to host school groups in the near future, in order to build on the education aspect of the program.
The museum, which is located at 1531 North Main Street, Suite C, in Blacksburg, is open Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no admission, but the curator does accept donations to keep the museum open.
