CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea -- The 2nd Infantry Division, Eighth Army and Korean Theater Operations Museum, had a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Oct. 19, at Camp Humphreys.
The event was designed show support of the Army history and the unity with South Korean allies.
“This event recognizes the 2nd Infantry Division and Eighth Army museum, finally having its grand opening after it was moved down from Uijeongbu to Camp Humphreys,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Williams, deputy chief of staff, 2nd Infantry Division.
“This is a culmination of many years of hard work,” said William Alexander, director and curator of the museum. “This tells the story of the Soldiers who served in Korea, and served around the world, in the 2nd Infantry Division from 1917 to present, Eighth Army from 1944 to present time and the Korean Theater of Operations going back to 1882.”
Members of the 2nd Infantry Division spent the day preparing for the arrival of senior military members and for Korean officials. Many from the community came out to support the grand opening and walk through the exhibits, each visitor signing their names into the guest book.
“My favorite part is the World War I and World War II sections, which shows the beginning of the 2nd Infantry Division,” said Williams. He said it was a great event that was well deserved: A nice emergence from the Covid lock down.
Even though the museum faced numerous obstacles, Alexander said it was able to overcome them with funding, the support of top-notch building designers, and a combined effort from the 2nd Infantry Division Museum, Eighth Army and Republic of Korean Army allies.
“The grand reopening of the museum really shows the hard work of the volunteers, 8th Army, 2ID, and the community to get this back open for us,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Lemons, Camp Humphreys senior enlisted advisor. “This preserves our legacy and our tradition of what we have done in Korea.”
The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and is free to visit.
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