Italian American Veterans Museum


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A LEGACY OF BRAVERY

The sons and daughters of Italy have established a legacy of bravery in America that extends from the birth of our nation to modern times. Italian Americans have fought for Old Glory over the centuries, and countless thousands have made the supreme sacrifice. They have served with distinction in every major conflict and have attained the upper echelons of military leadership. Thousands have earned Distinguished Service Crosses and Medals, Bronze and Silver Stars, Navy Crosses, and Congressional Medals of Honor, and tens of thousands have earned the Purple Heart. Over the centuries, Italian Americans have: Inspired the phrase “All men are created equal.”

* Signed the Declaration of Independence.

* Rode through the night to cast a critical vote in favor of the American Revolution

* Performed in the first Marine Corps Band

* Turned the tide in the war against the Barbary pirates of Tripoli.

* Made up the largest ethnic fighting force in World War II.

* Earned more than two dozen Congressional Medals of Honor.

* Held the top three spots on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

All of these accomplishments and many more are brilliantly showcased at the Italian American Veterans Museum and Library.

 

MISSION STATEMENT

 

Founded in 2006, the Italian American Veterans Museum:

* promotes awareness of Italian-American involvement in the defense of our nation from the Revolutionary War to the present;

* serves as a resource center for scholars, students and the general public;

* offers comfort and assistance to service men and women and veterans of all ethnicities.

 

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Located at Casa Italia in Stone Park, Ill., the Italian American Veterans Museum:

* gathers, catalogs, restores, archives and displays military artifacts and wartime memorabilia;

* acquires films and books devoted to military conflicts throughout American history, and the role that Italian Americans have played in those conflicts;

* acquires and catalogs memorabilia and makes that material available to researchers;

* spearheads documentaries and other projects and programs that enhance the public’s understanding of Italian Americans in the military; and

* sponsors events that inform service men and women and veterans of the services available to them, and that create a sense of community and belonging.

 

HOLDINGS

The main exhibits at the Italian American Veterans Museum sheds light on out Hometown Heroes, the American Revolution and the Civil War, the World II Home Front, the World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War.

Side exhibits cover World War I, women in the military, the U.S. Army Air Forces, souvenirs of war, military patches and insignias, the national organization known as the Italian American War Veterans, the strategic role of Alaska, lines of communication, military paperwork, uniforms, blades, helmets, military themed toys and more.

The Italian American Veterans Museum also contains a library, an archive of memorabilia, and a small art exhibit.