Museum of the American Military Family footlocker displayed at library

  • Published
  • By W.P. Armstrong
  • Museum of the American Military Family
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  Lifting the lid of an old military footlocker, one might expect to find folded clothing, a shaving kit and some Kiwi for polishing boots. Instead, a footlocker packed with military families' memories will be on display from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 13 at the Kirtland AFB Library, in Building 20204.

Operation Footlocker is a community outreach program sponsored by the Museum of the American Military Family, a recently formed nonprofit organization based in Albuquerque.

"Using these footlockers loaded with mementos, we want to inspire young people to learn about and uphold the ideals of national service and to inform the general public of the cost and sacrifices military families experience as part of our national security," said Dr. Circe Olson Woessner, the museum's executive director.

Members of the MAMF Board of Directors will be on hand to answer questions about the footlocker's contents, as well as about the museum in general. The new museum is currently a virtual organization, allowing visitors from around the globe 24/7 access to its documents, photos and other galleries on its website, www.museumoftheamericanmilitaryfamily.org, and on Facebook, at http://www.facebook.com/MuseumoftheAmericanMilitaryFamily.

Allowing visitors a firsthand look at Operation Footlocker helps them better connect with the museum's purpose, Woessner said.

"We want to help children and adults understand and enjoy the experience of sharing their own military family memories from decades past as well as from the present," she said. "We do this by displaying souvenirs, photographs, historical documents and other mementos gathered by 'military brats' who are willing to tell their story to everyone."

Visitors are encouraged to contribute their own memories when visiting the exhibit. Donated items will end up traveling all over the world as other institutions request Operation Footlocker exhibits.

The Kirtland AFB Library is at the corner of Gibson and 2nd Street SE. For more information, call 846-1071.