Contact Outer Space Continued from page 18
To Remember is to Honor Continued from page 9 Jim continued, “The museum offers an extensive collection of personal military memorabilia, uniforms, regalia, photographs, models, and artifacts from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and through current conflicts in the Middle East. Many of these exhibits enable visitors to see a more personal side of war, one that must be experienced first-hand to be truly appreciated. All museum exhibits are from veterans, or friends and families of veterans, and are either on loan on a long-term basis or donated outright to the museum for posterity.” On display in the various rooms are the actual uniforms of the men and women of Gwinnett County who faithfully served in our military, their medals, personal effects, photographs, and weapons. There was a corner display for a Medal of Honor recipient, an American flag that flew over Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and far too many reminders of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. According to Ruiz, since the American Civil War to the present-day Gulf War, over 700 souls from Gwinnett County died while serving their country. One display in particular was nothing less than fascinating. In the World War I room there is the actual uniform of a World War I German Cavalry Officer, with an accompanying large photograph of the young man. This officer was captured by the French Army, and later released after the Armistice in 1918. This same officer later served in the German Army during World War II, and, once again, was captured, but this time by American Forces in Germany. Many years later, the grandson of this very same German officer graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and is now a serving officer in the U.S. Army. “Only in America can this happen,” Jim proudly declared. “The grandson’s West Point cadet uniform is on display in our Gulf War room.” The cost of war is never cheap, and neither is properly running a museum to honor its veterans. “Admission to the museum is free,” Jim said. “The museum receives no taxpayer money whatsoever. It relies on the donations from museum visitors, the local business community, and private foundations, like the Whitcomb Family Foundation. We also conduct funding drives at local malls, community events, and large businesses, like Home Depot and Wal-Mart.” Everyone, both young and old alike, needs to visit this special place and experience Gwinnett County’s contribution to our peace and freedom as a nation. “To Remember is to Honor,” and deservedly so! More information at www.americanlegionpost232.org
Our Town Gwinnett
This outlines the purpose of the ARISS contact. The McConnell STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Committee saw this project as a means to engage the whole school in real-world research and current events. Throughout the year, McConnell students will be learning about space research, international cooperation, maintaining proper health in space, life of astronauts on the ISS, and the history and future of space exploration and research leading up to this event. In the physical science and earth science classes, students will be exposed to lessons on electromagnetic waves, radio transmission and wave interactions, Doppler Effect, electrical circuitry, orbital speed and paths, layers of the atmosphere, and many other related concepts. Amateur Radio is an excellent introduction to STEAM careers. In fact, there is usually at least one licensed radio operator on the ISS at any given time. While spring is usually a time of year when most kids are blankly staring off into space, one lucky group of kids at McConnell Middle School will actually be connecting with space. More information at http://www.mcconnellms.org
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