The

Armed Forces Museum

The Armed Forces Museum is kicking off it Fund Drive to "Save the Museum" on Veterans Day, Monday November 12^th. It is asking for the support of the community to help save their extensive military vehicle collection, the "Veterans of Steel".

To promote this event, the Museum will be open free to the public on Monday November 12^th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Activities will include tours of the Museum, the large military vehicle collection, weapons displays and demonstrations by uniformed Reenactors.

The Museum is currently housed in an old auto dealership building which it is leasing from a very generous landlord for one dollar a year. The building, however, is in serious need of repairs, with a very leaky roof, structural problems, bad ceiling, no heat or air conditioning. The valuable collection is suffering greatly from the elements of heat, cold, rain, mold and mildew. One of the most extensive collections of military vehicles and memorabilia in the Nation is in danger. Captain Carol Venable, the Curator/Director of the Museum stated the "we are very grateful for the building, but the Museum is dying a slow death in this building".

The owner of the building also has the property up for sale. When the building is sold there will be no place for the collection and the Museum will be on the street.

The extensive collection of military vehicles (Veterans of Steel) at the Museum includes Jeeps, trucks, half-tracks, scout cars, command cars, an armored car, artillery pieces, a DUKW amphibious truck, and an "Alligator" which is a large amphibious landing craft used by the Marines in Pacific in World War II.

The Museum’s collection of all three prototypes of the Jeep recently gave it national exposure with an article in Jeep News. Capt. Venable has received calls from Jeep News readers across America who are interested in preserving their military heritage.

The Museum is trying to raise enough money to be able to acquire a permanent home in Alton. "The people and government of the City of Alton has always been very supportive of the Museum" said Capt. Venable, "and we would like to stay hear if possible".

The Museum is asking for support to help our Museum become a permanent monument to honor our local and national veterans. This institution is also valued asset to the tourism industry in Madison County and Alton.

The mission of the Museum has always been the preservation of historical military vehicles and educating the public regarding the sacrifices that our military men and women have made to keep this country free. With the assistance of this community to provide the Museum a new home, it will be able to continue.

A special "Save the Museum" account has been established by the Museum, at the Liberty Bank in Alton. People, businesses or organizations who wish to contribute to this worthy cause may send their donations to the "AFM Building Fund" C/O Liberty Bank, 2403 Homer Adams Parkway, Alton, Illinois 62002. The Museum is a Federally chartered 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is operated solely by volunteers. All donations are tax deductible.

For information on the fund drive, please call Paul Shetley at 618-377-3076.