Mission of the Museum
Our mission is to honor, and perpetuate the memory of the service men and women who have served in our nation's armed forces down through the history of our country during peacetime or war.
The mission of the museum began over a decade ago with the goal of making sure that our veterans "Shall Not Be Forgotten".
The museum began with humble beginnings in 1997 at a storefront and in 2005 we opened our new facility visible from Interstate 5 just off of exit 77.
The museum features a 9,000 square feet main gallery with 85 display cases and hundreds of displays honoring our veterans. The museum features a military history reference library with thousands of volumes. There is also a gift shop and a "USO" where you can come and enjoy a cup of coffee and some conversations with our local veterans. For special occasions the museum also has a modern 3,000 square foot Events Center.
Information on operating hours, admission fees and other features of the museum.
They Shall Not Be Forgotten....
Korean War / POW & MIA Remembrance Day
Separated from his fighting unit, Tacoma native Bill Moeller trudged through thick snow in thin rubber boots near the Chipyongni area of Korea.
He hid behind boulders while a troop of Asian soldiers marched past, then glanced over his shoulder to see white flares, indicating a Chinese surge forward.
“The hill behind the lights appeared to be moving, like a slow avalanche, and I realized that what I was seeing was the entire side of the hill covered in moving men dressed in white parkas,” said Moeller, who made one parachute jump during his service and later pursued a civilian radio career.
Moeller, an experienced entertainer resembling Mark Twain and former Centralia mayor and longtime council member, will share recollections of his service with the 187th regimental Combat Team Sept. 18 during the Veterans Memorial Museum’s 13th annual Korean War Era/POW-MIA Remembrance Day.
The event, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the start of the war, begins at 12:30 p.m. at the museum in Chehalis, Wash., with a pre-concert performed by the Washington American Legion Brass Quintet. The program starts at 1 p.m.
A special POW table will be narrated by Chippewa Marine Corps vet Harvey Rabbitt in his native tongue, with museum Executive Director Lee Grimes translating. Fifteen-year-old Lydia Bowes of Mossyrock, Wash., will recite a poem she wrote entitled “Korea—The Forgotten War.” Each Korean War era veteran and any ex-POW’s will be individually recognized.
Republic of Korea Marines also are planning to attend, and the Korean Consulate in Seattle may send a representative. Sen. Paul Shinn, of Korean descent, also has been invited.
South Korean immigrants John and Sarah Lee have offered Korean War veterans a free breakfast at 10 a.m. Sept. 23 at their Country House restaurant at Exit 59 near Toledo or Rose Tree Restaurant at Castle Rock.
At the conclusion of the event, a photographer will snap a group picture and light refreshments will be served.
The free Remembrance program, open to the public, is a time to honor our Korean War Era veterans and the ex-Prisoners of War who endured so much suffering for the cause of freedom. The fee to tour the museum will be reduced in honor of the event.
The Korean War ca 1951
