Growing museum worth a visit

The National World War II Museum opened its doors on the 56th anniversary of the Normandy invasion that liberated Europe. It is located in New Orleans because it was here that manufacturing business owner Andrew Higgins built the landing craft used in the amphibious invasions; the landing craft which President Eisenhower believed won the war for the Allies. A replica of the “Higgins boat” is displayed in the museum, along with vintage aircraft and a huge collection of weaponry, uniforms and artifacts from the period.

The Louisiana Memorial Pavilion showcases essential tools of the war effort, including the famous Higgins landing craft. More than 20,000 boats were designed and built in New Orleans and used in all the amphibious landings of World War II. Dwight Eisenhower credited these boats with winning the war for the Allies. Other artifacts include a Sherman tank, jeeps, halftracks and a fully restored C-47.

Permanent exhibit galleries, located on the second and third floor of the Museum, are divided into four areas: The Home Front, Planning for D-Day, The D-Day Beaches and The D-Day Invasions in the Pacific.

The Malcolm S. Forbes Theater features two alternating films focusing on the D-Day invasions at Normandy and in the Pacific, “The Price for Peace” and “D-Day Remembered.”

Along with the just completed new wing, the nonprofit museum is lining up support for the remainder of a $300 million expansion that will encompass every campaign in every theater of the war. The project is slated for completion in 2015.