Pa. Veterans Museum in line for $1M gift |
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Funds from Defense Appropriations Act to be used to expand
statewide education programs for students |
By WILLIAM BENDER
wbender@delcotimes.com
The Pennsylvania Veterans Museum in Media will receive $1
million through the 2006 Defense Appropriations Act that
Congress passed 308-106 early Monday morning.
Most of the money will be used to expand the museum's statewide
education programs for students in grades five through
11, according to Bob McMahon, the museum's executive
secretary.
"What better way to honor the tens of thousands of men and women in uniform – many
who are Pennsylvanians – who must remain separated from family and loved
ones on distant battlefields this holiday season?" McMahon said, thanking
U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon for inserting the earmark into the mammoth defense bill.
Weldon, R-7, of Thornbury, said he was happy to deliver the
money "on behalf
of the unsung heroes who served this country and continue to serve this country
in Iraq and Afghanistan."
The museum, located in the historic Media Armory on State
Street, opened its doors last month. A group from Penncrest
High School is expected to take the first student tour
next month, and other schools have expressed interest,
according to McMahon.
The $1 million will help fund documentaries on the Band of
Brothers and Tuskegee Airmen, as well as educational material
for each of the state's 501 school districts. Teachers
will eventually be able to log onto the museum's Web site,
www.paveteransmuseum.org, enter the amount of time they
wish to dedicate to World War II, and receive lesson plans,
McMahon said.
"All of this is designed for the World War II veterans in Pennsylvania to
pass their legacy on to their grandchildren -- great-grandchildren in some cases
-- so they will know what they did in the service," said McMahon, a Vietnam
veteran.
The museum plans to eventually expand its exhibits to cover
the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf Wars
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