Armor and Cavalry Gallery now open at Nat'l Infantry Museum

The Armor and Cavalry Gallery is now officially open at theNational Infantry Museum after the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremonythis morning, March 27.

The new gallery tells the Armor and Cavalry story through amix of combat vehicles, uniforms, soldier equipment, displays and dioramas.

Brig. Gen. Leopoldo Quintas says the exhibit is not justabout the past, but about connecting the past with the future of the U-Smilitary.

"The Challenges we face today are very, very similar tochallenges we've faced in the past," Quintas says. "And for us as soldiers andleaders, we can learn a lot of lessons from how it was done in the past. Somegreat leaders, some great soldiers, how they overcame adversity and challengesin the past."

One of the attractions in the gallery is an M113 armoredvehicle that was hit by enemy fire in Vietnam, and has now been completely restored.

David Curtin and Warren Williams, veterans of 173rd AirborneBrigade, served together in Vietnam in the same company as the M113 on display.Williams says he was there the day this very vehicle was hit and taken out.

"It's kinda like us," says Williams. "We survived, and it'sa survivor too. And that's how it impacts me. It's one of us, it's our heritage,and it's just very rewarding."

David Curtin adds, "Thelittle plaque here says that this is a veteran of the 173rd Airborne, D-16thArmor, and we think of it as a veteran, just like us, a combat-wounded veteran.And so this is one of us on display."

D-16th served as the only tank company in the 173rd AirborneBrigade during the Vietnam War.

The M113 Armored Personnel Carrier is one of three vehiclesused throughout history that are now on display in the Armor and Cavalrygallery.

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