A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACt adopting the veterans History museum of the carolinas aS the state's veterans history MUSEUM.
Whereas, the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas opened in the Town of Brevard in 2016; and
Whereas, the mission of the Museum is "to honor our nation's veterans, to educate the public about our country's military history and the contribution of our service men and women, and to preserve important and unique historic artifacts"; and
Whereas, the Museum honors veterans of all branches of the military but especially those of the Carolinas and the north Georgia region by displaying artifacts from the 20th century to the present; and
Whereas, the Museum has a large collection of unique military artifacts, uniforms, weaponry, original newspapers, personal letters, and other one‑of‑a‑kind items, such as a WWI six‑person Maxim machine gun, a 1943 Willys Jeep and 1942 Harley‑Davidson motorcycle used in WWII‑Europe, and exhibits honoring women in the military and the United States Merchant Marine; and
Whereas, the Museum serves as a gathering place for veterans to meet informally, share stories, and make new friends. Monthly programs include "Veterans Coffee & Conversation," which provides a welcoming and private space for combat and noncombat veterans to talk and listen; and
Whereas, the Museum has six professionally produced, copyrighted videos, "Through Their Eyes," to teach the history of each American war since WWI, using local veterans' stories; and
Whereas, the Museum is free to the public and is staffed by volunteers; and
Whereas, the State does not have an official veterans history museum; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 145 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 145‑52.  State veterans history museum.
The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas, located in Transylvania County, is adopted as the official Veterans History Museum of the State of North Carolina."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.