NEW VETERANS MUSEUM APPEALS TO VETERANS NATIONWIDE

Unique Facility Offers Historic Amenities and Insight

WATERLOO, IOWA (October 31, 2008) — A new national treasure is set to open this fall in America's Heartland. The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, will play a vital role in preserving the history and service of all Iowa veterans, and serve as a national hub for research and genealogy studies. The $11.5 million, state-of-the-art facility pays tribute at a time when the number of surviving World War II and Korea veterans is diminishing by the day. A Grand Opening event will be held on Saturday, November 15th, to celebrate, and raise local and national awareness about its historic value.

The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum is an expansion of the Grout Museum District, a private, not-for-profit entity that has grown into a regional and national cornerstone of history, culture and the sciences. The museum addition is already attracting attention beyond state lines. "It has both regional and national appeal because of the many veterans that have served with our Iowa veterans," said Cyd McHone, Grout Museum District Director of Development and Marketing. "The museum will be a great place for veterans' tours and reunions, many are already scheduled months in advance."

The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum is named after the five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, Iowa. They lost their lives, along with 700 other crewmembers, when their ship, the USS Juneau, was sunk in the South Pacific on November 13, 1942 in the Battle of Guadalcanal.

The 32,000-square-foot facility named in their honor consists of permanent and temporary exhibits, video histories, artifacts, plane and tank replicas, and a near life-size recreation of the bow of the USS Juneau. Museum patrons will receive personalized veteran dog tags when they arrive, allowing them to experience an Iowan's story. Interactive video exhibits also showcase hundreds of veterans' stories, and a veteran registration program will serve as an important research tool.

"We want to be leaders in preserving this rich history of our veterans," said Billie Bailey, Executive Director of the Grout Museum District. "This nation owes so much to veterans. We want to play our part in preserving that for generations."

The Grand Opening celebration for the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum will be a daylong event. The Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Donald C. Winter, will lead the museum dedication, and the Parade Band of Navy Band Great Lakes will also perform.

About The Grout Museum District

The Grout Museum District, accredited by the American Association of Museums, features permanent and temporary exhibits, educational opportunities for school groups, historic excursions, group tours, as well as many opportunities for individuals and families that visit the district daily.

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