Military Museum Exhibit Highlights New Yorkers in Korean, Vietnam Wars

Media Advisory

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (03/28/2019) — The New York State Military Museum formally unveils its newest permanent exhibit with tours and discussion with the public at the military museum this Saturday, March 30th from 6 to 8 p.m. The public is invited Saturday evening to help celebrate this unveiling. Museum staff and docents will be on hand to answer questions and highlight interesting artifacts and their stories.

News media are invited one day early, March 29, on National Vietnam War Veterans Day, to meet with local veterans of the Vietnam War who contributed to the exhibit.

"Hot Spots in the Cold War" commemorates the Korean and Vietnam wars through the eyes of veterans of New York.

WHAT: Unveiling of the Korean and Vietnam War exhibit, a part of the Department of Defense 50th commemoration of the Vietnam War.

WHO: NYS Military Museum Chief Curator Mark Koziol and select area Vietnam War veterans that are featured in the exhibit.

Area veterans at the museum will be available to speak to reporters about their service and their desire to include items in the exhibit. They are:

- David Wallingford of Saratoga Springs, who provided fatigues for the exhibit display and an oral history of his service.

- Barry Hartman of Clifton Park, who provided his oral history.

- John Sacca of Albany, who provided his jungle combat boots and various items of his personal gear from his Vietnam service, including sunglasses, a zippo lighter, towel, friendship bracelet, and helicopter chain necklace

- Garth Lloyd from Ballston Spa, who provided photographs of his service in Vietnam for the exhibit

WHEN: Friday, March 29, 2019, at 11 a.m. March 29 is National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

WHERE: New York State Military Museum, 61 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs.

Media Opportunity:

Interviews with veterans about providing artifacts and their personal stories of the Vietnam War, along with perspective from Museum Chief Curator Mark Koziol.

Background:

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

On March 29, 1973, the last American combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam and the last prisoners of war held in North Vietnam arrived home on American soil. President Nixon chose the date for the first Vietnam Veterans Day in 1974.

The day honors the men and women who served in the United Stated armed forces from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975.

Hot Spots in the Cold War: Korean and Vietnam Wars Exhibit

More than two years in the making, "Hot Spots in the Cold War: Korean and Vietnam Wars" covers the period 1950-75 and uses numerous photographs, artifacts and oral history videos to tell the story of New Yorkers in combat, life at home during the Cold War, and civil strife that accompanied the Vietnam War during the late 1960s and early 70s.

This exhibit examines the origins and outcomes of America's involvement in Korea and Vietnam, with a particular emphasis on the contributions and experiences of New York veterans. In addition, the exhibition explores the domestic impact of the Cold War from the pervasive fear of global nuclear warfare to the debates and protests that divided the nation at the height of the war in Vietnam.

The nation marked the start of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War in 2012 and New York State, the New York National Guard, the City of Saratoga Springs and the Military Museum are all Commemorative Partners with the Department of Defense to honor the service of Vietnam Veterans and their families.

Events hosted at the museum are intended to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.

The New York State Military History Museum

Located at 61 Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs, N.Y, the New York State Military Museum is administered by the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs. Its collection focuses on New York's military history from the French and Indian Wars to the present day.

The mission of the museum is to preserve, interpret and disseminate the story, history and records of New York State's military forces and veterans.

Begun in 1863, the collection did not have a permanent home until the governor announced in 2001 that the historic armory in Saratoga Springs, NY would house the collection. The building, designed by Isaac Perry and constructed in 1889, is an example of armory architecture that was popular in upstate New York in the late 1800's.

For additional information, contact Col. Richard Goldenberg of the New York National Guard at 518-727-7314, richard.l.goldenberg.mil@mail.mil.

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