The Army Aviation Museum Foundation tries to be upbeat with a little humor during the federal government shutdown, which affects The U.S. Army Aviation Museum and Training Support Facility at Fort Rucker, home of Army aviation. (Facebook photo)
By Troy Turner
The U.S. government shutdown continues to affect federal employees, military personnel, and numerous public services and attractions across the country, including military-related history sites in Alabama dependent on the suspended funds.
Nevertheless, curators and caretakers say they’ll be prepared when the gates and doors are allowed to reopen to visitors, and not all Alabama history sites are closed.
The U.S. Army Aviation Museum and Training Support Facility at Fort Rucker, home of Army aviation, remains closed during the shutdown, causing uncertainty regarding several planned upcoming events.
A Facebook post lamented the situation but promised to be ready when government funding resumes.
“Good morning, aviation aficionados! It’s another beautiful Saturday, but our exhibits are currently taking an unplanned vacation due to the lapse in government appropriations,” The Army Aviation Museum Foundation posted Oct. 11. “We’re standing by for the green light, keys in hand, ready to open as soon as the budget is restored! Thanks for your patience.”
A commentor questioned whether private funds could play a roll in keeping the museum open.
“The US Army Aviation Museum and Training Support Facility and The Army Aviation Museum Foundation are two separate entities that work together closely. We are collocated in the same building, but are two different organizations,” the site responded. “The museum facilities and the collection are 100% government owned. The museum staff are government employees.
“The Army Aviation Museum Foundation is a private 501(c)3 organization that exists exclusively to support the museum restore artifacts, preserve the material culture of Army Aviation history, and promote community education through programs and activities. None of the donations received go to operational, employee, or administrative expenses, they stay 100% in house!”
Still listed on the museum’s schedule are several activities, including an open house Oct. 25 and a “Remember Pearl Harbor” open house and car show Dec. 6.
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, located off Alabama Highway 49 north of Dadeville, remains closed, including its visitors center, trails and access to the park’s interior.
The closure here is not the first the park has had to endure this past year.
Horseshoe Bend was closed in March after an EF-3 tornado cut a devastating path through the park, knocking down hundreds of trees over roads, trails and open terrain, and causing numerous safety hazards.
The park partially reopened in April but continues to recover as crews remove debris, with portions of the park still off limits to visitors when the park is open. Now, however, gates are closed because of the government shutdown.
The Battle of Horseshoe Bend took place March 27, 1814, when Major General Andrew Jackson’s army of 3,300 men attacked Creek Indian Chief Menawa’s 1,000 Red Stick Creek warriors fortified in a horseshoe shaped bend of the Tallapoosa River.
The Creeks were trying to hold onto their native lands and were at war with the United States while also becoming allies with the British against the U.S. during the War of 1812.
Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site’s online and social media materials have posted no specific information on its closure status, but commenters and other sources have reported it closed.
The closure includes all services and buildings, including rest rooms, although portions of the exterior grounds may be open for walks.
The Tuskegee Airmen site is operated under the National Park Service, which refers back to local sites for informational purposes during the shutdown as there are varying sources of funding available from park to park.
A line of aircraft assigned to the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.
However, Tuskegee’s site, like Horseshoe Bend, appears to be closed to all operations and public access until the government shutdown concludes.
The site is where the famous World War II Tuskegee Airmen trained before going overseas and facing combat during the war, while at the same time breaking racial barriers in the U.S. military.
Maxwell Air Force Base likewise has suspended most of its public affairs and guest services, although access to many of its most popular historic attractions, such as the static displays of retired aircraft, is always limited to visitors who must obtain a guest pass from security services at the base visitor center before entering the base interior.
Maxwell continues to offer many services to its personnel and their families, such as its schools and various extracurricular activities for their students.
Like most military social media sites that post something similar, Maxwell’s Facebook page reported on Oct. 1 that “Due to the government shutdown, this site is not being updated.”
Not all of Alabama’s military history sites are dependent on federal funds, and thus remain open.
The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile featuring the historic World War II battleship and numerous static displays that include the USS Drum submarine, fighter jets, bombers, a tank and more, remains open under its normal business hours.
“On Sunday, October 12th, we were honored to host the U.S. Navy’s 250th Birthday Celebration and Banquet aboard the USS ALABAMA!” the park’s Facebook page posted.
“Keynote speaker Kent Davis delivered an incredible presentation highlighting 250 years of Navy history and service to our nation. It was a memorable evening surrounded by Sailors, VIPs, and longtime friends as we celebrated this milestone together.”
For more information, including park and gift shop hours, click here.
Other sites, such as Fort Morgan near Gulf Shores and Mobile, are administered by agencies such as the Alabama Historical Commission and continue to offer ticket sales on their websites.
Fort Morgan was completed in 1834 and active during four wars: the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World Wars I and II.
The fort is most famous for its role in the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay. Here, Union Rear Admiral David Farragut damned the torpedoes and went full speed ahead to win the battle.
The massive fort contains more than 40 million bricks and pays tribute to the skilled masons, many of whom were enslaved African Americans, according to the American Battlefield Trust.
The fort features an active living history program that interprets all the military periods and holds an annual event commemorating the Battle of Mobile Bay.
Troy Turner is the editor and senior consultant for AlaDefense.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. His bio can be found here.
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