ROD KING

More than a hundred veterans, friends and city dignitaries were on hand May 27 for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of the W. Paul Wolf War History Museum at the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum on O’Day Road in Fort Wayne.

Primary benefactor of the museum, W. Paul Wolf, whose name appears over the entrance, was on hand to assist Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry in cutting the ribbon. Wolf is an Air Force veteran of the Korean War. Estimated cost of the new facility is $450,000.

Wolf, who addressed the audience, said he was “proud to support one of the nation’s top veterans memorials.” He added with a smile, “When you contribute to this facility, remember that it comes from the heart.”

Henry, also a veteran, said, “It’s appropriate that we hold this special observance to pay tribute to those who served and were lost. But we shouldn’t dwell on their loss, but remember the great memories and the fun we had with them.” He went on to tell a couple stories of the pranks he and his Military Police buddies pulled. “Those are the things I remember about them,” he added.

This past month, museum curator Robert Thomas and volunteers have been busy moving displays, memorabilia and artifacts from the small original museum next door into the new 6,000-square-foot building.

The new facility, which is three times larger than the old museum, features interactive displays to tell the stories of ever war in which the the United States has been engaged, starting with the Revolutionary War. Each war has its own section with photos, artifacts, weapons and uniforms from that period.

Curator Thomas said, “The new graphics, war history maps, uniformed mannequins and reader boards outlining the timelines make a visit here an educational journey for all visitors, as well as veterans who served.”

One particular exhibit of interest is the Ghost Army during World War II, featuring world renowned fashion designer, Fort Wayne’s own Bill Blass. The two-sided display tells the story of how the Allied forces utilized inflatable tanks, trucks and artillery to fool German aerial reconnaissance planes during the war.

Located in the garage opposite the museum is the 40 & 8 boxcar that was donated to the State of Indiana by the French people after World War I. This rare boxcar was designed to carry 40 men and eight horses. This year marks the 75th anniversary of its coming to the United States.

World War I veteran Eric Scott and his wife, Cleo, created the Memorial Shrine and Museum on their O’Day Road property. It opened in 1951 in a portion of their house and later expanded into the garage where it has been until everything being transferred to the new building recently. Scott was 19 when he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the Third Infantry Division Sixth Combat Engineers in France. When he returned, he vowed that he would found a place “where no veteran will ever be forgotten.”

A new chapel is under construction on the grounds and a new Civil War memorial will be dedicated soon. A replica of the Korean War Patrol Memorial will be dedicated on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2023.

The Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum is located at 2122 O’Day Road in northwest Fort Wayne. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. There is no admission fee, but donations are accepted.