The Alaska Veterans Museum’s 14th Anniversary was this past Saturday. The executive director thanked all for being present at the festivities. The Star-spangled banner was sung by Christina Janko, lead singer for the local band, Danger Money and they were followed by The Alaska Squeeze Box who played fabulous period songs and just great knee slapping and foot stomping music. They were followed by the 12-member Paddleboat Jam with a variety of instruments who led with many songs we all grew up on and sang to. They ended the afternoon with the Alaska Song. The Museum was free that day and about 100 took advantage of the many displays, but also of the numerous historians who shared the museum and their own stories. Our young historian, Thomas, was dressed in WWII period dress as a Corporal in the Japanese occupation force on Attu and Kiska. He also had a table to display along with the museum’s books that were free with a donation to the museum. Also, the museum served sandwiches, cheeses, and a delicious cake along with soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water. Thanks to Jann, Bob, Suellyn, Dennis, Elin, and Daun for planning, setup, tours, and takedown. Come take a tour of the museum
Our Mission is to: Maintain a museum for the inspiration, remembrance and preservation of the memory of veterans and their sacrifices for America’s freedom; Educate the general public through the collection, presentation and exhibition of artifacts, oral histories, personal accounts and historical acts relating to the history of our veterans; Promote activities that will enhance and support the purpose of the museum; and Support our veterans, active duty, guard and reserve members. The purpose of the Alaska Veterans Museum is to stimulate knowledge, awareness, and appreciation of Alaska’s military history. This is accomplished by providing a variety of interpretive exhibits and programs. The AVM consists of ten separate rooms which include: Territorial Days, WWI, WWII, The Aleutian Campaign, The Korean War, the Cold War, The Vietnam War, Iraq and Afghanistan, The Tuskegee Airman and the Women in the military. We also have memorials from all over the State of Alaska pictured on the walls as you come into the foyer, a 13-foot drone backdropped with the 49-star American Flag. Our future education grant request projects include You Tube history videos for Alaska Schools throughout the State to use in teaching our Alaska military history; touch screens telling each of our 10-rooms of Alaska military history and how it played a key role; hand-held hearing devices connecting to the You-tube stories in each room; A new bronze plaque fro the front side of the eight-foot Alaska Territorial Guard statue; videoing/you-tube of a proposed OLE’ (Opportunities for Lifelong Education) of 8 classes given in the museum by our professional historians, 2 new video cameras for performing more oral histories, a conversion capable VCR/electronic capable of converting our oral histories (~180) to safer and permanent electronic storage, slide to electronic capable equipment, new updated printer, blank DVDs and 2 x state of the art monitors, and print and mount 23 11th Airborne Division/US Army Alaska USARAK history pictures.
We can’t do this without your support. I ask each of you and your organizations to become members of the Alaska Veterans Museum. There are other avenues you can also help us too. It is time again to ask you to become a member of YOUR Alaska Veterans Museum in 2025! We want you to know that 100% of your membership and any additional donation supports our ability to continue the mission to remember and honor the service of our military members and educate and inspire future generations. Our annual meeting will be 11 Oct from 5-8 at AMVETS 2, midtown. In addition to seeking members, we are actively seeking monetary donations to help sustain and enhance our exhibits, educational programs, and community outreach efforts. Your generous contribution will directly impact our ability to maintain the museum’s facilities, expand our collections, and organize events that foster a deep appreciation for Alaska’s military history. As always, you can also support us by choosing the AVM as your Fred Meyer Rewards charity; donating through Pick.Click.Give; the Alaska Community Foundation or In Anchorage, the Fashion Pact Thrift shop at 221 E. Diamond for 30% of your item value donation and designate the AVM and 30% with your or anyone’s purchases designated to the AVM charity.
We are nearing three years in our new space, and because of your continued support, the move continues to reap rewards! If you haven’t yet, stop by and see our lobby. It is lined with enlarged prints of military memorials from across the State. It is very impressive! These memorials provide the perfect backdrop to many events we have held. You can also renew or donate at our website www.alaskaveterans.org – and you can even set up your membership to renew automatically or make a recurring donation! Don’t forget! Our new location is at 411 West 4th Avenue, Suite 2A, in the bright yellow Sunshine Building.
Our Winter hours are Wed-Sat. 10:00am-5:00pm and after Memorial Day, our summer hours are Mon-Sat. 10:00am-5:00pm. We hope to see you soon!