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David Schleck: Mobile war museum and free Veterans Day program coming to Virginia Beach

Virginian-Pilot - 10/28/2018

Oct. 28--I recently heard about two new opportunities to honor our veterans, learn about history and check out Town Center's newest theater.

A mobile history museum will be parked outside Zeider's American Dream Theater on Tuesday. The Profiles of Honor Tour features dozens of Virginians who served in World War I and World II, as well as a full-scale model of a M5A1 Stuart tank.

Look for the 36-foot, handicap-accessible trailer at 4509 Commerce Street from 12:30 to 7 p.m.

The free exhibit invites veterans and their families to step inside the theater's lobby and have their war-related images, letters and documents scanned, preserved and made publicly accessible in the Library of Virginia's archives.

"Both wars were fought not only overseas, but from the shipyards, factories, military bases and homes of Virginians," said M. Kirkland Cox, a state delegate who chairs the commemoration. "The Profiles of Honor Tour revitalizes that history, from the home front to the front lines."

Visitors will also get a peek inside the theater's performance space, which opened earlier this month, according to Sibel Galindez, community liaison.

"The Z definitely wants to welcome the community into our new home," she said.

The second event is a free program on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, also at Zeider's American Dream Theater. To End All Wars marks the centennial of the end of World War I, with a narrative told of the history through various speaker, project visuals, photos and musical pieces, including "In Flanders Fields."

Members of Virginia Beach Chorale will perform. There will be a tolling of the bells, which various groups are doing across the country to mark the centennial. It's worthwhile to note we're also in the midst of the four-year, 75th anniversary of World War II.

Reserve seats for the program -- actually, there will be two, held at 4 and 7 p.m.Nov. 11 -- by stopping by the theater box office during the Profiles of Honor Tour, or visit https://thez.org/.

I hope to make it to the touring museum and the concert. Yes, I'll get a first look at the theater. But more importantly, I'll gain appreciation for the sacrifices made while the world was at war.

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(c)2018 The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Va.)

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