NATIONAL INFANTRY MUSEUM
Thursday, October 16, 2008

The National Infantry Foundation has launched In the Footsteps of Heroes, a commemorative paver progr am designed to give permanent recognition to heroes of all kinds at the new National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center in Columbus, Georgia.

The Foundation will sell 4 inch x 8 inch granite pavers that can be engraved with a custom message. The pavers will line Heritage Walk, a 1,000-foot long, 20-foot wide path connecting the new museum and the parade field in Patriot Park. A kiosk will allow visitors to look up the exact location of their own paver.
Foundation Chairman MG (Ret.) Jerry White said the intent is to honor all patriots, no matter their role in supporting our country. "We welcome everyone. Active duty soldiers and retired veterans. Infantry, Armor, Airborne. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard. And most importantly, we want to honor all the wives, parents and children who have sacrificed so much for their loved ones."

Each paver holds three lines of text; each line has room for 20 characters. The $250 cost is tax deductible and includes one free 2 inch x 4 inch replica paver that purchasers or honorees can keep on a desktop. Orders can be placed online or with a downloadable order form at http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com/.

Brochures are available for mailing. Proceeds will be used to complete construction of the museum.
Pavers that have been purchased by January 30, 2009, will be placed along Heritage Walk in time for the National Infantry Museum's grand opening on March 20, 2009.

WLTZ NEWS Report:

Commemorating The National Infantry Museum
Julie Bercik

Story Created: Oct 17, 2008 at 3:56 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 17, 2008 at 9:23 PM CST

You can make your mark at the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.

In the Footsteps of Heroes, is a commemorative paver program that will surround Heritage Walk.

The walkway connects to the museum and Patriot Park.

Pavers can be personalized, with up to 80 characters.

Foundation Chairman, and Retired Major General, Jerry White, said this is a great way to honor soldiers and their families.

Pavers can be purchased online at www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com

You have until January 30th to place your order.

BACKGROUND ARTICLE EXCERPTS (Ft. Benning Real Estate Site):

Infantry Museum       
Written by Wayne Long    
Tuesday, 21 November 2006 
Infantry Museum at Fort Benning GA

June 8,2006 the groundbreaking for the Infantry Museum started with a bang of explosives and bulldozers. 

The Infantry Museum at Fort Benning was established to honor the infantry and their 231 years of service to our country.  It is being built at Fort Benning close to Columbus GA because this is the home of the Infantry.  

The huge museum is being built on 200 acres in Columbus just outside Fort Benning.   It will be interactive with large screens and activities to engage the visitors.  Included is a 3D – IMAX theater.   Samsung, a Korea based company recently donated 1.5 million dollars to build the Korean war gallery to commemorate the infantry role in  halting the aggression of communism in Korea.  They had originally agreed to donate 1 million but at the ceremony they actually gave 1.5 million dollars. 

The 100,000 visitors each year will be exposed to a range of war history and en ever-changing display of weaponry, uniforms and history that is intriguing to service men and women as well as their families.  Documents signed by important forefathers of our country like John Hancock, George Washington or FDR.  Personal items of our servicemen that give us an idea of their life in the field are on display.  The value of the museum pieces is estimated at $30 million.

$85 million dollars is needed to complete the project of which about $60 million has already been raised.  

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