Museum of the American GI to House Display Honoring Texas Killed and Missing in Vietnam
The exhibit that displays 3,417 dog tags honoring Texans killed and missing in the Vietnam War is headed for a permanent home at the Museum of the American GI in College Station.
The award-winning Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit features personalized dog tags identical to those entombed in the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument. It was created by the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Committee through a gift from the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, and has been touring the state as part of the monument’s outreach program. The Committee has now agreed to a long-term loan of the exhibit to the American Museum of the GI with the intent of permanent gift.
“We are delighted to find a home for the exhibit in an impressive and centrally located museum where we can know that our Texas heroes will be honored and remembered,” said Robert Floyd, Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Committee Chairman. Since its 2013 debut at the LBJ Library in conjunction with the monument effort, the exhibit has toured the state of Texas with stops in San Antonio, Beaumont, Houston, Addison, Corpus Christi, Abilene, Lubbock and Honeygrove.
The Museum of the American G.I is a living history museum in College Station dedicated to preserving the equipment, uniforms and memories of all American servicemen and women, and to bringing military history to life through collections and programs honoring them. Included in its impressive collection of military equipment and vehicles are a Vietnam-era Cobra helicopter and river patrol boat. The Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit will be the centerpiece of the museum’s reflection area.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to make this moving tribute available to the public so that people can appreciate the magnitude of sacrifice made by Texans in Vietnam,” said Leisha Mullins, museum director.
Organizers will announce plans for the exhibit’s move and opening in 2015.
