Museum Open House

On Saturday October 25th NMAW held an Open House at Aden Field, sometimes referred to as the Tank Farm in Nokesville, VA.  A smaller version of Saturday’s event was held on Sunday October 26th.  Despite miserable weather on Saturday nearly 1,000 people were in attendance.

Throughout the course of the day people were treated to numerous demonstrations of military vehicles and tactics.  There were also a number of Living History units with items on display for everyone there to see.

Everyone was enthralled by the assault on a bunker using mortars and a flamethrower by the United States Marine Corps Historical Company, and the assault on a Russian tank by a unit of recent veterans.  There were numerous demonstrations going on throughout the day by tanks from different eras and conflicts.  Many of the tanks displayed during the event will one day become part of the exhibits in the National Museum of Americans in Wartime.

On both Saturday and Sunday there were numerous VIPs in attendance, from Prince William County Supervisors Corey Stewart and John Jenkins, to Naval Pilot Red McDaniel and Virginia Delegate David Albo.  Though unable to perform, due to weather conditions, the Blackwater USA Parachute Team was in attendance on Saturday.  Also in attendance were numerous vets ranging from World War II to the current war.  On Saturday wounded veterans from Walter Reed Hospital and the Armed Forces Retirement Home were present.

There was a “kid’s activity zone”, face painting and a rock wall.  Food was for sale through the Christ our Lord Anglican Church out of Woodbridge, VA, and Chris McNulty’s restaurant, The Hard Times Café, which is located on Sudley Road in Manassas, VA, kindly provided free meals for all of the volunteers who gave their time to help make this event a success.  You can visit www.hardtimes.com to get more information on Chris’s restaurant.

There was a drawing for a chance to ride or drive a tank or the opportunity to win a helicopter ride. All those who signed up to become a member were entered in this contest, and as you can see from the photos below the winners had a great time!

The Open House was, to say the least, a success!  The Museum ended up bringing in 100 new members and got the word out to so many more.

Thank you to all those who worked tirelessly to make this a wonderful event!