National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center

User Review:

• In all our nation's major wars, 80 percent of all combat casualties have been Infantrymen and more than half of the Medals of Honor have been awarded to these warriors.
  The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center opened in June 2009 as a tribute to these Infantrymen past, present and future. Our museum, the only one of its kind, offers visitors of all ages an interactive journey through every war fought by the U.S. Infantry over the last two centuries.
  The 190,000-square-foot architectural showpiece was designed by E. Verner Johnson, Inc. of Boston, Mass. The museum and Soldier Center houses six era galleries, a five-story IMAX Theatre, a full-service restaurant, classroom and event space and a large gift store.
  The museum's exhibits are designed to appeal to everyone from veterans to small children. The museum strives to pay homage to the everyday Infantryman and the sacrifices they make while also keeping the exhibits entertaining, intriguing and educational for all who visit.
  The Last 100 Yards ramp is the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center's signature attraction. The 100-yard-long and 30-foot-wide ramp leads visitors through 235 years of military history by highlighting the role of the Infantry in every battle depicted.
  The six era galleries trace the history of the Infantry from before the Revolutionary War to action today in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are broken down by conflict and provide visitors with an overview of each time period with graphic maps and historical film footage. Each gallery boasts an invaluable collection of artifacts designed to tell the story of the American Infantryman.
  One unique thing about the National Infantry Museum is the sacred soil which was scattered during the dedication of the parade field. When an Infantry school graduate marches across the field, he is literally walking on soil fought for by Infantrymen who came before him, gathered from battlefields all over the world.
  Heritage Walk is a 20-foot wide path that is lined with flags of U.S. states and territories. The walkway is paved on each side with 4" by 8" granite pavers which have been purchased in honor of those who have served and those who have supported our military.
  The Walk of Honor is a 10-foot wide path that meanders through the woods to the south of the parade field. It will be lined with dozens of monuments and memorials to various Infantry units, and one large memorial to the 125,000 Soldiers buried in 24 American cemeteries overseas. Benches and gardens line the Walk for moments of rest and reflection.
  The 3D IMAX Theatre is the first of its kind in Georgia and the only one in our area. The 5-story high and 70-foot-wide screen is coupled with the unique, geometrically enhanced sound system designed to make the experience one to remember. The theatre seats 300 visitors.
  Other National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center highlights include:
  
  • Rifle Range – Museum visitors have the opportunity to shoot retrofitted M-4s and M-16s in the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST 2000), the same rifle simulator used at Fort Benning to train our troops.
  
  • WWII Company Street –WWII Company Street is the only one of its kind in Georgia. It is composed of seven buildings, built to accommodate the surge in Americans joining the army during World War II. The restoration to make them look as they would have during the summer of 1941 before Pearl Harbor was a $4.5 million project.
  
  • Vietnam Experience – The "Life in Country" exhibit invites you to experience firsthand what it was like to be in a search and destroy mission in a jungle environment, complete with sights and sounds of combat. Even the climate in this space is hotter and more humid.
  
  • Life in the Trenches – Visitors are immersed in the chilling experience of trench warfare, an ordeal that defined what it meant to be a Soldier in World War I. Complete with plank and sandbag walls built into the ground, realistic sights and sounds of battle and barbed wire to signify No Man's Land, this exhibit brings to life the Infantry experience.
  
  • The Family Gallery – The museum recognizes the fact that a Soldier's family makes sacrifices just as their Soldier does. This gallery takes a look at communications over the years between Soldiers and their families. Another section of this gallery is a child-sized room lined with mirrors and Infantry uniforms available for dress-up. Children can also take part in a virtual humanitarian mission in Iraq.
• The description was provided by nile user