Keep Our 82nd Airborne Division Museum Open
On June 4th, 2025, the U.S. Army Center of Military History made an announcement on their Facebook page that read, in part:
In support of Army transformation and a focus on directing resources toward readiness and lethality, the Center of Military History has begun a consolidation and reduction of Army museums, a process that will continue through Fiscal Year 2029.
The Army Museum Enterprise (AME) will reduce from 41 museum activities at 29 locations to 12 field museums and four training support facilities at 12 locations.
We need your help to come alongside those who have sacrificed so much in defense of our nation. Please let your voice be heard to Keep Our 82nd Airborne Division Museum Open.
The 82d Airborne Division War Memorial Museum was established in 1945 to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret the history of the Division from 1917 to the present. It has proudly preserved and showcased the magnificent contribution and sacrifice that the All American’s have exhibited throughout their history.
The museum helps new Paratroopers understand the heritage they carry forward in defense of our nation, and is a place that their families can visit to help them understand the role their loved ones play in that endeavor. Veterans are supported by the preservation of the history of the work and sacrifice, giving them a place they can proudly share with others who want to know of their deeds.
And it supports our local community as well, through activities that demonstrate the work our All American Paratroopers do, and allows visitors to connect with those who sacrifice so much.
The Museum also supports our local economy, with over 40,000 non-military visitors annually, and contributing almost $40 million in visitor spending to the local economy.
This message is approved for release by the 82d Airborne Division Historical Society. A 501c(3) non profit organization supporting the 82d Airborne Division.
Please help us act now to Keep Our 82nd Airborne Division Museum Open.
82nd Airborne Division Historical Society Board Members:
- LTC (Ret) Mark Acker – President
- MSG (Ret) Joe Tolley – President Emeritus
- CSM (Ret) Roger Vickers – Vice President
- Ms. Shantay McQueen – Secretary
- CSM (Ret) Chris Nunez – Treasure
- SFC (Ret) Jim O’Connor – Director
- SFC Steve Wykel – Director
- COL (Ret) Mike C. Lopez – Director
- BG (Ret) John W. Aarsen – Ex-Officio
Public Officials Helping To KEEP OUR 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION MUSEUM OPEN
US Senator Tom Tillis (R-NC)
Voicemail from Senator Tillis’ office to Michael Lopez, 82nd Airborne Museum Historical Society Museum Foundation Board Member:
Good afternoon Michael, this is Brandon from the office of Senator Tom Tillis. I just wanted to follow up on your message to our office regarding the possible closure of 82nd Airborne Museum located on Fort Bragg. I did want to let you know that this is an issue our office is actively working on finding a possible solution for. I just got out of the meeting with Senator McConnell’s team who is experiencing a similar issue at one of their military bases with one of the Army Enterprise Museums. It is a problem we are actively working to find a solution for and we really wanted to thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Senator Thomas M. McInnis
NC Senate District 21
I am writing to express my strong support for keeping the 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, open. This institution is more than a building-it is a living tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and legacy of those who have served in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Representative Michael “Mike” Colvin
North Carolina General Assembly 42
“As an elected representative of the district that proudly calls the 82nd Airborne Division home, I want to express my strong and full support for keeping the Fort Bragg 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum in Cumberland, NC open.”
Representative Diane Wheatley
North Carolina General Assembly District 43
“I would be delighted to add my voice to those advocating for the 82nd Airborne Museum to remain open. Over the years I have made many visits to the museum and feel it would be a shame for it not to be available.”
Kirk deViere
Chairman, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners
Letter to Congressman Richard Hudson and David Rouzer, and Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis
On behalf of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, I write to urge your strong opposition to the proposed closure of the 82d Airborne Division War Memorial Museum at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
This museum is vital to our community and our nation. As the second oldest U.S. Army Museum, it preserves the legacy of the “All American” Division from 1917 to present day. The museum serves over 50,000 annual visitors and generates more than $40 million in economic impact for Cumberland County through tourism, benefiting our hotels, restaurants, and local businesses.
Cumberland County is home to one of North Carolina’s largest veteran populations, many of whom served with the 82d Airborne Division. For these veterans and their families, this museum is more than history—it is a sacred place that honors their service and preserves their legacy. The museum houses granite memorials honoring every fallen paratrooper and serves as an essential educational resource connecting past and present generations of soldiers. The 82d Airborne Division Historical Society has invested decades of support, including funding the current building.
Cumberland County stands firmly with our military community in preserving this irreplaceable institution. The museum ensures that the service and sacrifice of America’s paratroopers will be remembered with the honor they deserve.
We respectfully request your public statement of support to keep the 82d Airborne Division War Memorial Museum open and operational.
Thank you for your leadership and consideration.
Letters of Support
James Grimes
1SG (ret)
Exec. Dir., 82nd Airborne Division Association
“All past, present, and future Paratroopers deserve a landmark where their stories will be remembered with dignity, accuracy, and honor. We respectfully call upon all decision makers to NOT close the doors on this chapter of American history.”
Grilley Mitchell
President Cumberland County Veterans Council (CCVC)
“I urge you to support all necessary measures to keep the 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum open and adequately funded so that it may continue its important mission. Thank you for your attention and for your ongoing dedication to our military community.“
Media Coverage
CityView: Supporters rally to keep 82nd Airborne museum open (Sept. 16, 2025)
“For Mike Lopez, the small 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum at Fort Bragg is a cornerstone of the military unit he once served with. But he worries it may not remain there much longer.”
Read full article on CityViewNC.com
Interview on WFNC AM640 News Talk Radio with Mark Acker, 82nd Airborne War Memorial Museum President, and Roger Vickers, 82nd Airborne War Memorial Museum Vice President.
Billboards
How can I help Keep Our 82nd Airborne Division Museum Open?
- Please contact your Federal, State, and Local representatives to Keep Our 82d Airborne Division Museum Open. (See list below)
- Please like the 82nd Airborne Museum Facebook Page for updates and demonstrate our reach to the Army Museum Enterprise.
List of State and Federal Contacts
North Carolina:
Federal
Resources