"To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen… to be forgotten is the worst." —Pierre Claeyssens (1909–2003)
Our goal is to draw visitors to the phenomenal story of World War II, and to generate respect for all veterans. The story of World War II is the most important of the 20th century, but its lasting effects may not be known to current and future generations. In addition to telling the story through exhibits, the museum will show the important lessons and societal progressions that came from such a deadly episode. It will show how the GI bill allowed veterans to go to college and buy homes, creating new communities and businesses all over the country. It will show the necessary advancement of women in the workforce, the integration of minorities into the military and the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights (due to the holocaust), which are but a handful of examples of this generation’s effect on the rest of the twentieth century. At this museum, students and visitors of all generations will come together to share stories, ask questions and ultimately know the veterans experience, and the pain and the cost of conflict.