3ID Museum opens as'fitting tribute to
100 years of Marne excellence'
FORT STEWART, Ga. -- The 3rd Infantry Division Museum was revealed in a grand opening ceremony Nov. 16 on Fort Stewart, Georgia, with a ceremonial ribbon and cake cutting.
"I can think of no better centennial birthday present for the Marne Division than a new museum," said Col. Sean Bernabe, Task Force Marne commander.
The division's birthday was Nov. 12, and the milestone was celebrated with Marne Week, a week-long annual event where Dogface Soldiers and leaders participated in sports, events and ceremonies celebrating the history of the 3rd ID.
Charles Bowery Jr., executive director, Center of Military History, speaks to a crowd of Soldiers, retirees and civilians during a grand opening ceremony to reveal the 3rd Infantry Division Museum Nov. 16, 2017, at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Bowery said November 2017 had the unique influence of former milestones to help tell the 3rd ID story as it is the month of Marne Week, the Division's centennial, the World War I centennial and the grand reopening of the Marne Museum.(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Noelle Wiehe, 50th Public Affairs Detachment, 3rd Infantry Division/ Released) (Photo Credit: Spc. Noelle Wiehe)
"There are no formations in our Army today with a more storied history than the Marne Division," said Charles Bowery Jr., executive director, Center of Military History.
The museum was established here in 1996, but closed in 2012. The new location has nearly three times the exhibit space and features a gift shop, a multipurpose room and four exhibition areas. The museum tells the story of 3rd ID, Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, Bowery said.
"CMH is really proud to reopen the 3rd Infantry Division Museum as part of the Army Museum Enterprise, a strategic transformation that focuses Army museums worldwide on the critical mission of educating our Soldiers and the American public about the Army's 240 year-plus history," Bowery said.
The three galleries currently within the museum feature the story of Fort Stewart, aviation and the 3rd ID. The museum also showcases award-winning models in the Thunder Run Room, each crafted to reflect a combat vehicle from the division's Thunder Run during Operation Iraqi Freedom 1.
The artifacts in the museum symbolize the sacrifice and the hard-fought battles, which make up the 3rd ID history, Bernabe said.
Bowery said several milestones are celebrated throughout November 2017 to accompany the telling of the 3rd ID story, to include Marne Week, the Division's centennial, the World War I centennial and the grand reopening of the Marne Museum.
Bernabe said the museum celebrates and captures the accomplishments of the Marne Division over the last century - it portrays the trials and tribulations behind 37 campaign streamers; retells the stories of the 55 Medal of Honor recipients who wore the Marne Division patch as well as celebrates the true spirit of the Dog Face Soldier. Marne Week honors the division's service to the nation. Born out of WWI, the division has answered the nation's call for 100 years.
"This museum is a fitting tribute to 100 years of Marne excellence," Bernabe said.
