Originally opening Memorial Day 2015, “Vietnam, The Real Stories” pays respect to those from the Texas Panhandle area who served in one of the longest and most controversial wars fought by the U.S. military. United States involvement officially began in 1957 and ended in 1975. The goal was to help South Vietnam prevent the spread of communism coming from the North Vietnamese. Unlike troops of other wars, Vietnam Veterans were treated disrespectfully and not given the tribute they rightfully deserved.
Freedom Museum has the honor of having several Vietnam veterans who are willing to volunteer at the museum and share their personal stories with students and adults. The veterans featured in this exhibit, whether volunteer or draftee, served without complaint or regret. Each rose above the controversy and made the most out of every experience. Several of the museum static displays were either actually in combat situations in Vietnam, or an exact representation of such. There are also personal items throughout the museum which belong to the Veterans whose stories you will read in this exhibit.
This exhibit is a favorite of student field trips as they are allowed to have personal contact with Veterans who actually served in Vietnam.
To all the veterans and fallen of the Vietnam War, we express our sincere gratitude for your service. To those who were so brave as to share your experiences, we deeply appreciate your participation. If you have a story you desire to share, please let us know.
On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which, “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe which would change the course of world history. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler’s crack troops.
Visit Freedom Museum to read the personal accounts of men from the Panhandle area who were part of this great battle.
In October 2018, the submarine periscope which has been in storage off-site for many years was delivered to Freedom Museum through the generous efforts of Coyote Trucking of Pampa. Plans are made to install the periscope in such a way as local students and visiting guests will be able to see exactly how the periscope worked. This installation will require considerable renovations to the museum building. If you would like to be a part of this project, please submit your donations to Freedom Museum USA.
Freedom Museum is excited to announce the arrival of its newest static display and looks forward to finding out about its military history and sharing it with museum visitors. Stop by soon and see all that Freedom Museum has to offer. Thanks to Andy Epps, curator, and Joe Reed with Koyote Trucking for bringing this vehicle to Pampa.
Each year Freedom Museum USA and VFW Post 1657 pay homage to the men and women of the 26 Texas Panhandle Counties who have distinguished themselves in military service to our country.
At the close of 2016, the photos and names of 188 inductees grace the walls in the Waters Holt Room of the Freedom Museum in Pampa. Those inductees include one woman, a WASP Pilot from WWII; three Medal of Honor recipients, two Doolittle Raiders, two survivors of the Bataan Death March, one survivor of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, and many from various other noteworthy battles. The inductees were servicemen from wars since the Mexican Campaign of the early 1900s. One was a veteran of the Mexican Campaign, World War I and World War II. There are two from WWI, eighty-three from WWII, fifteen from Korea, twenty-six from Vietnam, four from Iraq and one from Afghanistan (Enduring Freedom). Sixteen were killed in action and twelve suffered the horrors as a Prisoner of War. There are more Purple Heart, Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Silver Star and other commendations than can be counted.
The lives of these warriors are not taken lightly and it is with great honor and privilege that they grace the walls of our museum. Each of the inductees have so much more to their stories than can be told on one small page. So, the museum is in the process of digitizing all the information provided on each one of the inductees and making that information available to visitors for review.
The Panhandle Veterans Hall of Honor induction ceremony and banquet is held in August of each year at VFW Post 1657.
If you would like to nominate someone for consideration or simply share the stories of your military family and friends with Freedom Museum USA, send the museum as much information as possible about that person’s time in the military. Please provide a short biography about their life before and after the service, any supporting documentation such as discharge papers, commendations, journals, letters, etc. Also, include a photograph while in the service for use should that person be chosen as an inductee. The submission deadline is March 1st and should you have any questions, please feel free to call the museum at (806) 669-6066
Freedom Museum received its newest static display today due to the gracious donation of the VFW Post in Childress, Texas. Special thanks to VFW Post 1657 and Allen Snapp for delivery, painting and set-up.
This US 76mm T-124 Anti-Tank Gun is based on a tank main gun. These types were fitted onto lightweight carriages for airborne service in the Korean War. The T-124 was produced in very limited numbers (less than 100), but it seems that many of this number currently exist as monument guns.
The Vietnam War was one of the longest and most controversial wars fought by the U.S. military. The war began in 1957 and ended in 1975. The goal was to help South Vietnam prevent the spread of communism coming from the North Vietnamese. The U.S. involvement was intended to be minimal, but we continued to send troops as the war dragged on. Many U.S. soldiers who served in Vietnam lost their lives or suffered long-term effects such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and illnesses due to exposure to Agent Orange. Unlike troops of other wars, Vietnam Veterans were treated disrespectfully and not given the tribute they rightfully deserved.
The veterans featured in this exhibit, whether volunteer or draftee, served without complaint or regret. Each rose above the controversy and made the most out of every experience. Several of the museum static displays were either actually in combat situations in Vietnam, or an exact representation of such. There are also many personal items throughout the museum which belong to the Veterans whose stories you will read in this exhibit.
It is the goal of this exhibit to pay tribute to these Vietnam Heroes because it’s time for us to listen to and value their stories. If you have a story you desire to share, please let us know.
To all the veterans and fallen of the Vietnam War, we express our sincere gratitude for your service. To those who were so brave as to share your experiences, we deeply appreciate your participation.
Pantex delivered an empty B53 nuclear weapon case to the Freedom Museum in Pampa today.
The bomb was dismantled in 2011 by Pantex. It weighs around 10,000 pounds and required many engineers to help dismantle it.
The B53 was first put into service in the 60’s during the Cold War. At the time it retired in 1997, the bomb was considered the oldest, largest, and most destructive weapon in the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
“A unique fact about this weapon is this is one of three in the United States built from an actual stock pile weapon,” said a representative of Pantex.
Please come by the museum and see this amazing piece of history.
Freedom Museum USA 