In Honor of the Veterans: Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Ill.-- Part 2

"The Big red One", so-called for the red numeral that has adorned its shoulder patch since 1918-- was the first permanent division in the regular army and often the first unit to deploy and engage the enemy.

A highlight of the museum is the interactive Omaha Beach display which has a "you are there" quality that combines the element of surprise with the telling of this important World War II battle, leaving viewers hushed and moved.  Omaha Beach was part of D-Day.

Outside the museum is the Tank Park, the area's most complete collection of tanks and artillery pieces dating back to World War I to desert Shield and Desert Storm.  Visitors can touch, climb on and learn about the eleven tanks on display.  Tank Park also includes an armored personnel carrier and four artillery pieces.

The park is open year round from 9 a.m. to sundown.  Museum hours currently are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday until Dec. 31.  It is closed all of January.  Admission to the museum is free, but parking is $5.

Thanks Veterans.  --RoadDog

In Honor of the Veterans: First Division Museum in Wheaton, Illinois-- Part 1

From the November 6, 2015, Chicago Tribune "Of Thee We Sing."

The 500-acre Cantigny Park in Wheaton was the estate of Robert R. McCormick, Chicago Tribune publisher and a World War I veteran of the First Division-- the "Big Red One"-- which today is the First Division of the U.S. Army.

He named his estate for Cantigny, France, the village that was the site of the Battle of Cantigny, where McCormick saw action as a soldier.

In addition to the Colonel's home, formal gardens and a golf course, Cantigny is home to the First Division Museum.  Inside its 10,000-square-foot-space are interactive and experimental exhibits that follow the exploits of his army division from World War I through to more recent conflicts.

--RoadDog