COLLEGE STATION- The Museum of the American G.I. opened its doors this weekend in College Station after more than ten years of planning. The museum features a large display of army equipment and memorabilia.
"It brought back a world of memories of what went on during that time,” says Louis Hudson.
Louis Hudson was a paratrooper in World War II. So when College Station's new museum of the American G.I. opened, Louis swooped in.
"I went out there in my pick-up and there he was. I was the first World War II veteran to go through the museum and I got a personal tour from Brent,” says Hudson.
Brent Mullins is one of Louis' former students, who loves collecting war memorabilia. When Brent was in high school, Louis gave him his uniform. But little did he know that Brent would later open up the museum of the American G.I.
"My husband has always been into collecting things. He started in high school collecting military uniforms. He then went from that into vehicles," says Leisha Mullins, a museum board member and Brent’s wife.
The museum showcases military vehicles from World War I and II, Vietnam, and Korea. All the equipment is fully restored and functional- with the exception of the plane. There are also uniforms and original propaganda posters on display. Volunteers say that the museum helps veterans share their experiences with family.
“You hear them talking to their grandkids about what they did and you can see the kids are learning about their family and history from someone who actually experienced it,” says Mark Hawthorne, a museum volunteer.
"Everybody should go to that museum. There is so much to be seen there. Recent history, it's just right before your eyes. I think it's a great opportunity for every man and child to see what was there.... to see what is there,” says Hudson.
Mullins says they plan on expanding the museum to the second floor where there will be a conference room, display cases, and a mezzanine so that people can look down into the tanks. The museum is open on weekends and on Mondays by group appointment only.
