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The
National World War II Museum celebrates seventh birthday
on June 6
43rd anniversary of original
D-Day invasion at Normandy
also marks annual meeting of Museum’s National Board of
Directors
NEW ORLEANS (June 5, 2007) – On June 6, the anniversary
of the original D-Day invasion at Normandy, the National
World War II Museum in New Orleans will celebrate its
seventh birthday with a full-day of events and special
exhibitions open to the public. At the same time, the
Museum’s National Board of Trustees will hold its annual
meeting in the city, with some of the discussion to
focus on the $300 million capital expansion that is
underway on the two city blocks directly adjacent the
Museum’s existing location.
“This country showed the world what its soldiers and
citizens were capable of during World War II,” said
Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, Ph.D., President and CEO of
the Museum. “The anniversary of D-Day affords us an
opportunity to salute the valiant efforts of the
Greatest Generation and to reaffirm our commitment to
New Orleans and its rebuilding as we expand our own
facilities and exhibitions to be as epic as the war we
honor.”
Governor Pete Wilson of California, Chairman of the
Museum’s Board, added that the expansion, when complete,
will greatly enhance an already dynamic visitor
destination.
“There are so many WWII stories still to be told, and
values to be learned,” Wilson said. “This extraordinary
Museum will continue to teach us all that freedom isn’t
free. It is hard-won by courageous men and women – many
of whom made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Site preparation is now underway on a one-of-a-kind,
advanced-format theater, scheduled to open in early
2009. The theater will have regular showings of Beyond
All Boundaries, a cinematic experience designed
exclusively for the Museum by Director Paul Hettema and
Executive Producer Tom Hanks. Through an array of
multi-sensory special effects, viewers will be immersed
in a virtual journey that spans the entirety of World
War II.
The entire 245,000-square-foot expansion project will
triple the Museum’s size, with state-of-the-art programs
and exhibit space, library and archives, collections and
conservation space, a hotel and conference facility, and
a research center. Plans include four prominent exhibit
pavilions: The U.S. Pavilion, The Campaign Pavilion, The
Liberation and Victory Pavilion, and The Armory and
Aviation Pavilion. They will portray all campaigns of
the war on land, sea, and air, and each branch of the
U.S. military services will be represented. A USO-style
entertainment venue, a themed restaurant, and a public
parade ground will also be included.
Individual buildings will open to the public as they are
finished, and the entire project is estimated to be
completed in 2014. In total, the new facilities are
expected to attract over 700,000 visitors annually.
The National World War II Museum in New Orleans is
designated by Congress as “America’s National World War
II Museum.” It interprets the American Experience during
World War II years and celebrates the American Spirit,
the teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men
and women who won World War II and promotes the
exploration and expression of these values by future
generations.
For more information on programs and exhibits at the
National World War II Museum, visit
www.nationalww2museum.org, or call 504-527-6012. To
arrange group visits for schools, churches and
synagogues, reunion groups, and other organizations,
please call 504.527.6012, ext. 222.
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