FORT BENNING, Ga., (Sept. 7, 2016) -- The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center was named the best free museum in the U.S. by USA Today's 2016 Readers' Choice Awards.

Voting began in early August and finished Aug. 29. The official announcement was made Sept. 2.

Z. Frank Hanner, the director of the NIM expressed gratitude at winning the award.

"We are very proud of it and very pleased," said Hanner. "We appreciated all the people who continued to vote so we could earn the recognition for the Soldiers who served our country."

Hanner emphasized thanking the Soldiers for the victory.

"We owe it all to the Soldiers who voted and earned us the recognition."

Cyndy Cerbin, the director of communication for the National Infantry Museum Foundation explained that there is a celebration planned for the future.

"We have something tentatively planned for 11 a.m. on Friday at the NIM. There will be cake for everyone and a couple of speakers. We are working on getting the Maneuver Center of Excellence band too," said Cerbin.