Veterans honored at new museum dedicated to their experiences

COLUMBUS — Veterans from across the state were honored this Veterans Day at a new memorial and museum dedicated just for them.

The Cincinnati North Ford Dealer Advertising Fund hosted a breakfast for veterans today as a thank you for their service.

The breakfast was at the new National Veterans Memorial and Museum, the first of its kind in the country.

Paul Kari, an Air Force veteran from the Miami Valley, visited the museum for the first time today.

“We have a lot of memorials in Washington DC and around the county, and this is the first one for just veterans itself,” he said. “It means a lot to us because a lot of us gave quite a bit.”

More than 50 Ford Oval of Honor recipients were invited to check out the Columbus museum.

Among the veterans recognized were those who served in Pearl Harbor, Tuskegee Airmen and Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.

“It’s just neat that finally after a few generations they are being welcomed home,” said Carolyn Abby Auclair, another Miami Valley veteran.

The memorial and museum serves as a thank you to all veterans who served.

It doesn’t focus on a particular war, but instead the experiences of a veteran.

“It tells the experience of their life journey,” said Lt. General Mike Ferriter, president and CEO of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.

Veterans hope this museum can teach today’s youth about honoring their country.

“Hopefully the younger generation will come and recognize that freedom is not free,” said Kari.

The museum, which opened last month, is interactive and gives the public a chance to experience what being in the military is like — from signing up to coming home.