What is the status of the D-Day museum?
The National D-Day Museum Committed to Reopen
Spirit of the WWII war years an inspiration for today
We are pleased to report that the National D-Day Museum, designated by Congress as America’s National World War II Museum, survived Hurricane Katrina and her destructive aftermath with no serious structural damage or flooding. The priceless artifacts, displays and oral histories were not stolen or damaged in any way. The Museum did sustain losses from some vandalism and looting in the Gift Shop and a nearby storage building. Like many other institutions, our employees are scattered across the country.
Although the damage was contained, the restoration of the Museum to full operations will require much work and will take several months. And yet, even in the context of a city and a tourism industry facing challenges of unprecedented magnitude, the leadership and staff of the National D-Day Museum are working and looking ahead with optimism and determination. This Museum, which portrays and celebrates the courage and fortitude of the World War II generation, will be an integral part of rebuilding New Orleans, pledged Dr. Gordon N. “Nick” Mueller, Museum president and chief executive office.
“Like soldiers in a battle, our team is in the trenches,” Mueller affirmed. “We are meeting the daily challenges before us, but never losing sight of our long term goal to complete the Museum’s expansion to commemorate all campaigns and service branches of World War II.”
Construction to complete Discovery Hall, the Museum’s education center and new exhibition space, is continuing, and a major international World War II conference planned for October is being re-scheduled for spring or fall of 2006. Construction to complete Discovery Hall, the Museum’s education center and new exhibition space, will resume as soon as possible.
Arguably the National D-Day Museum’s true hero during the storm and its aftermath was Jake Staples, a member of the facilities staff who lived in and guarded the Museum and its collections for two weeks, preventing the loss of World War II artifacts, many of which were donated to the Museum by veterans, their children or grandchildren.
The late Stephen E. Ambrose, Museum founder and noted author, wrote this in describing the spirit of New Orleans during World War II: “In a scene repeated in cities all across the country, the people of New Orleans came together -- black and white, old and young, men and women -- to propel the war effort. Like their soldiers, they worked hard and made sacrifices because they all believed in the righteousness of their cause. They believed that, as a popular saying of the times had it, 'we're all in this together.’”
The people of New Orleans and other across the globe have made the National D-Day Museum a place of respect and honor, showcasing the sacrifice and courage of soldiers fighting in Europe and throughout the Pacific. The Museum also demonstrated the commitment and efforts of the men and women working on the homefront and with many organizations that are helping hurricane victims today, such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. New Orleans is our home. As we were 60-plus years ago, today we’re are all in this together.
http://www.ddaymuseum.org/about/news_10_07_05.html