"Ever Forward"

I recently visited the 116th Infantry Regiment Foundation and Museum (located in Verona, VA) as part of internship training with the Foundation. I was given a personal tour and saw first hand how much hard work and dedication was put into running the non-profit museum. The mission of the 116th IRF, Inc. is to "perpetuate the history and lineage of the 116th Infantry Regiment and support current unit activities." The museum commemorates the hard work and dedication of the members of the Regiment, while providing an glimpse into their personal and professional lives. The museum includes and displays artifacts and records of significance to the regiment.

The 116th Infantry Regiment was founded in 1741. It is the oldest continuous regiment in the Virginia National Guard, and the seventh largest in the United States Army. The 1st Virginia Regiment was raised in 1775 as a state militia and later served as part of the Continental Army. The Regiment was involved in the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, American Civil War, Spanish American War, and both World Wars. The Regiment became distinguished as the "Stonewall Brigade" in the Civil War, and "Ever Forward" in the French and Indian War. The 116th IR is currently deployed in Bosnia, Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.

My tour of the Foundation was very personal and eye opening. Although I had read about the Wars and heard several stories, I was very surprised to see how "real" they actually were. In the past I had been caught up in the story from the history books, not the actual events or people. Seeing the artifacts and records reminded me of how serious and impactful war is. I saw uniforms, flags, equipment, weapons, and letters collected from the different wars the Regiment was involved in. The mannequins modeling the uniforms worn during the different wars were my personal favorite. I also enjoyed viewing the personal letters that members of the Regiment sent to their loved ones. The items are wonderfully preserved and displayed. It is obvious that a great amount of time and hard work has been put into commemorating the Regiment and the members' heroism. I learned how much hard work, diligence, and dedication is required in preserving history. The site is important because it provides an humbling and thought provoking experience for the visitor. The museum has plenty of interesting artifacts and records for the viewer to see. The site also provides a local history that impacted the world.The museum truly aids the visitor in catching a glimpse into what life was like during the wars. I believe that the museum provides the visitor with a reminder of the sacrifice and diligence that the members of this Regiment and others have displayed.

I believe that the museum does a phenomenal job at interpreting the history of the Regiment. The hard work and dedication of the volunteers is exceptional. There are no paid employees--they are all volunteers. The volunteers put their passion and love of history into displaying the valor and commitment of the Regiment. The museum is easily accessible, and it is not difficult to navigate. Everything is very well organized. The museum is small, but I believe that it aids the visitor in having a more personal and satisfying experience. Overall, I was very pleased with the 116th IRF, Inc., and I would recommend the museum to anyone interested in military or Virginia history.

*** Information and pictures used in this blog were found at http://116thfoundation.org/

Recommended Readings/Viewings:

http://116thfoundation.org/

Ever Forward!: The Story of One of the Nation's Oldest and Most Historic Military Units by Theodore G. Shuey, Jr.