In the face of cancelled air shows and the downgrading of New York City’s Fleet Week, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced last week that the American G.I. will be forever honored on Long Island through the creation of the Museum of American Armor to be built at Old Bethpage Village Restoration at 1303 Round Swamp Road in Old Bethpage thanks, in part, to a $1 million gift from Lawrence Kadish.
“We are watching powerful tributes to our American military reduced or eliminated across the nation and its just plain wrong,” Mangano said. “Fortunately, the Memorial Day weekend air show at Jones Beach will be held regardless of the loss of the Thunderbirds, but Fleet Week in New York City will be greatly diminished and across the country air shows are being cancelled weekly. Nassau County is moving in another direction. An armor museum that honors every American G.I. will be created on county property this year which will not only pay tribute to those who have defended our nation but will also strengthen the county’s tourism and destination industry and provide a new source of revenue to help us continue to hold the line on property taxes.”
Joined by veterans, elected officials, living historians, representatives from the nearby American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport and the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Mangano said, “The ability to create an armored column that replicates the sights and sounds of American forces during World War II is one of the most compelling educational tools we have to recount the story of our GIs’ courage, valor and sacrifice. Place it in this setting of vintage farmhouses and country roads so reminiscent of the WWII era Normandy countryside, and you have created a virtual time machine that ensures indelible memories for families.
“This announcement is also an unprecedented opportunity to expand the scope of Old Bethpage Village Restoration while preserving the integrity of this setting. Doing so will recharge public awareness, attendance and revenue for a county park system that has been hurt by the recession,” Mangano continued.
“Congratulations on the anticipated grand-opening of The Museum of American Armor. Long Island is home to an extraordinary number of World War II vets and has always highlighted the importance of educating the next generation about its history during WW II. This museum will be a terrific addition to the array of military museums on Long Island including the Cradle of Aviation and American Airpower Museum. I have been a strong supporter of opening the Museum of American Armor and look forward to its future success,” said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer.
The Museum of American Armor began with a modest display of military vehicles at the American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport in 2009 and quickly grew to become one of the most important armor collections on public display in the Northeast. It will continue to play an integral role at the American Airpower Museum, but will now have a dedicated location in which to display and operate all of its tanks, armored cars, jeeps and support equipment.
Lawrence Kadish, founding chairman of the Museum of American Armor, is providing a gift of $1 million towards the creation of the museum.
“Our appreciation of history can be fickle in an age of Iphones, Instagrams, virtual realities and Wikis.” Kadish said. “Our appreciation of our nation’s battles is often ignored. Seeing these vehicles rumbling across an open field recreates a moment in time that allows us to fully honor our military and understand what was required of an entire generation whose sacrifices ensured the defeat of brutal enemies seeking world domination. Our goal is to bring the sights and sounds of American history to a new generation, and thereby pay tribute to those who have heroically defended our freedoms over the many decades.”
