MILITARY MATTERS: National Infantry Museum volunteers - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

MILITARY MATTERS: National Infantry Museum volunteers

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By Chuck Leonard - bio | email

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COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) – The next time you visit the National Infantry Museum, shake the hand of a volunteer. These are people who give their time, not because they have to, but because they want to.  

"The people that we do have come and volunteer here are very dedicated," says Director of Volunteers Lora Warren. "They keep to their schedules. It really helps us a lot when you have to make plans to keep the museum open and operating with them." 

One of the best is Langdale, Alabama native and retired Army Major Dan Terry.

"Because I love the Infantry Museum. I spent my military life in the infantry. I meet a lot of great people, a lot of soldiers. A lot of great soldiers young and old," says Terry.

He is good recruiter also. Two months ago, he recommended that military wife Alison Latimer give it a try.

"He said hey, would you like to be a volunteer? I said sure, what does it entail? I'm not too, I'm not a history buff, and he said you don't have to be. You know, just come here and help direct, and as you volunteer you learn history so, and it's true. Every time I'm here I learn something," explains Latimer.

It may sound as though a military background is a requirement. They have people that come from all walks of life and from all backgrounds. The museum does a lot of one-on-one training so volunteers do not have to have a lot of military history in their background. 

Volunteer Jim Lee does have a connection.

"Well, I'm retired military. I retired out of Fort Benning, and when I found out about this place opening, I decided I wanted to give it a shot, you know, something to occupy my time, and something I enjoy doing."

Alleena Sperry enjoys it too, and says the volunteer work has allowed her to expand her knowledge of the infantry.

"I have learned so much from the galleries, because you need to go to each gallery to see what's in it so you can tell people what they're specifically interested in which gallery to visit. Far more that I ever learned in history class."

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