After nearly nine months of renovations, the Mountain Post kicked off the grand reopening of the museum by combining it with the third-annual Living History Day where Soldiers of the "Ivy Division" teamed up with members of the Colorado Military Historic Group (CMHG) to provide attendees an interactive look into the divisions history since organization in 1917.
"We scheduled these events together as close to D-Day as we could," said Joseph Berg, curator, 4th Inf. Div. Museum. "June sixth, the original day fell on a Monday this year so we conducted it on the fourth, a Saturday, to give everyone the opportunity to take part."
Throughout the day, attendees were afforded the opportunity to take part in the many events happening inside and outside of the museum. These events included authentic displays of military equipment and weapons, Allied and Axis Forces encampments, vehicle static displays from all three wars and modern day, and historians dressed in authentic uniforms throughout the past century, amongst other events.
Members of the CMHG, dressed in full kits, both American and German, performed reenactments of several key battles and events throughout the day, giving the spectators a taste of military life.
"It's an honor to dress up and reenact these events to show the public what the Soldiers went through for the protection of our liberties," said Capt. Randall Nordlund, brigade aviation officer, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., and historical enthusiast.
Bob Burrows, a World War II veteran who served with 2nd Battalion, 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, was also in attendance at the event and shared his recollection of the 4th Inf. Div. with anyone he could.
"I remember the 4th Infantry Division was a great unit that fell under 1st Army over there (Europe)," said Burrows. "My unit fell under 3rd Army so we worked close with the 4ID Soldiers and they have a tremendous history to be proud of."
Visitors of the event got the chance to throw German stick grenades at one of the stations and also climb on current military equipment provided by current brigades of the 4th Inf. Div.
An M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank and crew provided by 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, and a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and crew provided by 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, and a Stryker Combat Vehicle with crew assigned to 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, made the event more special according to the 4th Inf. Div. Museum Director, Scott Daubert.
"We hope that everyone enjoyed this event and love the museum as we work towards building the best warfighter museum to educate them on the tremendous history," said Daubert. "The active units in the division really helped make this event more special for us all."
The museum's mission is to collect, preserve exhibit and interpret historically significant artifacts related to the history of the division from 1917 to present. It is responsible for exhibiting and interpreting the history and to support post education, training, research and historical programs.
"The 4th Infantry Division has had a remarkable history and it is our responsibility to not only preserve that history but to educate all we can on it," added Daubert. "The Soldiers and civilians of the division continue to do great things that deserve archiving and taught."
There were several other organizations in attendance of this event. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6461, the 4th Inf. Div. Association, Iron Horse Chapter, the 4th Inf. Div. Band "Barkely Avenue", and the United Services Organization.
"We were so grateful to be invited to this event to help educate Soldiers about veterans benefits," said Kevin Reinhold, commander, VFW Post 6461. "We want them to know that all Soldiers are veterans and the VFW is for every one of them, not just the old Soldiers."
Soldiers and civilians throughout the community arrived to the event throughout the day to take in all the festivities.
Although it's tough to portray all of the division's history in a one-day event, with the museum now re-opened, the public now has the opportunity to visit it throughout the year beginning June 24, the official opening, where they can learn more about it.
"It's quite interesting to me to see all of this and how well equipped the kids (Soldiers) are in today's Army," said Burrows. "This is a great event and makes me proud to see how many are interested in the fine history of this division."
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