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National Museum of Military Vehicles celebrates grand opening Saturday

Guests can look through the main gun on the M60 Main Battle Tank on display at The National Museum of Military Vehicles in the outside Wall of Reflection area next to the entrance of the Museum. (National Museum of Military Vehicles)

DUBOIS, Wyo. — The National Museum of Military Vehicles, which features nearly 500 fully restored military vehicles, artillery pieces, naval vessels and aircraft dating from 1897 to present, will have its grand opening Saturday.

The museum, which covers 140,000 square feet, opened 8 miles southeast of Dubois in August 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the grand opening several times, a news release said.

The museum’s mission is to tell how these vehicles were used, to remember the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families, and to share the history of American freedom. Having the grand opening on Memorial Day weekend reflects that mission, Director of Communications Craig Blumenshine said.

“We hope the community can help us honor those who have served our country with valor as we pause to celebrate and say thank you for the tremendous amount of work and support that has brought the Museum to where it is today,” Museum founder and chairman Dan Starks said in the release.

Dan Starks, Founder and Chairman of the National Museum of Military Vehicles, speaks to guests on a recent tour. Starks is shown in front of the iconic “Huey” helicopter. This chopper flew in the Vietnam War and is on display in the General Lewis “Chesty” Puller Gallery at the Museum. (National Museum of Military Vehicles)

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon; LTG Roger Schultz (Ret), President of the Army Historical Association; William J. “Doc” Schmitz, National Commander-in-Chief of the VFW from 2019 to 2020; and museum founder Dan Starks are scheduled to speak at 10 a.m. Museum admission is free Saturday. The grand opening will also include tank demonstrations, tours, and special presentations. Visitors can climb inside armored vehicles and tanks and fire machine guns on a firing range. Food trucks will be on site.

Guests are encouraged to use free Wind River Transportation Authority shuttle buses to and from Dubois to the Museum that will be available every 20 minutes throughout the day to ease parking pressure at the Museum on Saturday. Pickup/drop-off points include the Dubois Town Park, the parking lot next to the Country “Jackalope” Store and the parking lot near the Dubois Medical Clinic. Bus service begins from the Dubois parking venues at 9 a.m.

To learn more about the grand opening and see the schedule, visit nmmv.org/grand.

This summer, the museum will be open every day except July 4. Generally, admission is $20 for adults and $12 for youths 8 to 17 years old. Admission is free for youths under 8 years old and for U.S. Military Veterans/Active Duty members, with ID. Tickets, which should be acquired online (except for on the grand opening day) to expedite entrance, are valid for two consecutive days.

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