Blue Star Museums Initiative

Blue Star Museums Initiative

by | May 18, 2021

May 15, 2021 – September 6th, 2021
The Franklin County Historical Society/Old Jail Museum announced it will join museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently-serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer. The 2021 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 15, 2021, and end on Labor Day, Monday, September 6, 2021. Find the list of participating museums at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.
Blue Star Museums is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in collaboration with Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and participating museums nationwide.
The free admission program is available for those currently-serving in the United States Military—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.
Information about the Society and museum can be found at franklinhistorical.org, the Franklin Historical Facebook page, or by calling 717-264-1667.
May is Military Appreciation Month

May is Military Appreciation Month

by | Apr 30, 2018 | Blog

Franklin County Visitors Bureau (FCVB) honors veterans and military members during May for Military Appreciation Month and invites all to explore the military history of Franklin County. Discover sites of military history in the self-guided tour of Franklin County Military Trail. Download from the FCVB website here. Learn and explore nearly 300 years of Franklin County’s military history.

Grove Family Library on Ragged Edge Road in Chambersburg celebrates Military Month with a series of special events in May. All events are held at the library.

  • Vietnam Veteran Lou Lerda will speak about his experiences as a member of the Special Operations Helicopter Company of the Army on May 2, 2 PM to 3:30 PM.
  • Learn more about World War I as Judith Redline discusses her father, Kenneth Redline, and his book, Dig or Die. Redline, a resident of Altoona PA, participated in every major engagement of the American Expeditionary Forces and received Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Silver Star.
  • A special screening of Thank You For Your Service will take place on May 9, 2 PM to 4 PM.

Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 19 is the Annual Community POW/MIA Service of Remembrance at the Historic Letterkenny Chapel, Letterkenny Army Depot, 2171 Carbaugh Avenue, Chambersburg, which adjoins the Franklin County Veterans Park. The service begins at 11 AM.

CASHS Naval Junior R.O.T.C. Cadets will present the colors. The guest speaker will be Colonel Alexander P. (Al) Shine, U.S. Army (Retired) who retired in 1990 after 27 years of distinguished global service with the U.S. Army. Participants in the service will include Colonel Stephen Ledbetter, Commander, Letterkenny Army Depot, who will present welcoming remarks. Cheryl Wauls, President of the United Churches of the Chambersburg Area, area clergy and laypersons will also take part in the service. Special music for the service will be provided by the Community Chorus directed by Marcel Coates and by Freda Dorand, Organist, First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Charles M. Nitterhouse Post 1599 Veterans of Foreign Wars will lead military honors in front of the Chapel when the service concludes. The service is sponsored by the United Churches of the Chambersburg Area.

During Military Appreciation Month—learn, honor, and remember the military service that Franklin County citizens committed to their country.