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Today, June 27th is National PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) Awareness Day. This is an especially important date for us to acknowledge here at the American Heritage Museum, due to the immense number of veterans that suffer from this terrible condition. As reported by the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs), in 2022, 6,407 veterans took their own lives. That's 17.6 veterans every day. Many of these were related to struggles with PTSD.So as we close out Men's Mental Health Month, we would like to urge a gentle reminder. Check in on your family, friends and loved ones. These struggles are often silent and overlooked, and sometimes all it takes to help someone is for them to know that someone cares.If you are struggling with your own mental health problems, there are people who can help. Call 988 or text TALK to 741741 to reach a representative at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. đź’š ... See MoreSee Less
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What is your favorite Anti-Tank Gun of all time?Join the conversation and share your thoughts! 💭 Each week, We're posing a question about historical military vehicles, and we want YOU to weigh in. Whether you’re a history buff, or just curious—we want to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment below to cast your vote! 👇#QuestionOfTheWeek ... See MoreSee Less
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Join us on Saturday, July 5th, 1pm to 2:30pm, for an engaging talk by award winning author George Hayward on his book The Party Dolls.On 10 May 1969, two American prisoners of war escaped from a brutal Hanoi prison camp called the Annex. Their story is one of incredible bravery against the longest of odds. It’s also one of bitter conflict. Air Force Captains John Dramesi and Ed Atterberry escaped with help from their fellow prisoners, but that help was not given freely. The suffering it brought killed Atterberry, and scarred others for life. For more information on the event see: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/speaker-series-the-party-dolls-escape-from-the-zoo-annex/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Here is this week’s challenge for “What is it Wednesday?” - What is it?! For a little extra challenge, this one is in black and white!Thanks to everyone who played last week… the answer for June 18th is a tire marking on our MAZ-543… see the previous post for the full details!Good luck on this week’s challenge! #americanheritagemuseum #historymuseum #visitma ... See MoreSee Less
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Defense of the Reich


8.8 cm Flak 36
– GER | ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN

Sd.Kfz. 8 12 TON – GER | PERSONNEL CARRIER/PRIME MOVER

Kommandogerrat 38 – GER | FIRE CONTROL COMPUTER

Flak Battery Generator – GER | ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTERY SUPPORT

Flak Battery Searchlight – GER | ANTI-AIRCRAFT BATTERY SUPPORT

V-1 (“JB-2 Loon” – Suspended) – GER | GUIDED MISSILE

The Defense of the Reich (also known in German as Reichsverteidigung) was the name given to the strategic defensive aerial campaign fought by the Luftwaffe air arm of the combined Wehrmacht armed forces of Nazi Germany over German-occupied Europe and Nazi Germany during World War II. Its aim was to prevent the destruction of German civilians, military, and civil industries by the Western Allied bombing campaigns. The day and night air battles over Germany during the war involved thousands of aircraft and aerial engagements to counter the Allied strategic bombing campaign. The Luftwaffe fighter force defended the airspace over German-occupied territory against attack, first by RAF Bomber Command and then against the United States Army Air Forces.

The constant night bombing by the RAF and daylight attacks by the USAAF added to the destruction of a major part of the German’s industries and cities, which caused the economy to collapse in the winter of 1944–45. It also pulled nearly two million Germans into defense of the homeland and diverted critical, dual-purpose 88 mm guns from an anti-tank role in the east against the advancing Red Army to an antiaircraft role inside Germany itself. By this time, the Allied armies had reached the German border and the strategic campaign became fused with the tactical battles over the front, while also completing a deliberate and methodical Allied campaign of punishment of all of Germany by destruction of German cities and civilian morale. The air campaign continued until April 1945, when the last strategic bombing missions were flown, ending just before the surrender of Germany on May 8th.

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EVENT TICKETS ONLY FOR SATURDAY & SUNDAY - No General Admissions available this weekend during Father's Day Tanks, Wings, and Wheels special event.

There will be no General Admissions tickets available on Saturday, June 14th and Sunday, June 15th during the Tanks, Wings, and Wheels Father's Day Weekend - all visitors on Saturday and Sunday must purchase event tickets for Saturday and Sunday for access to the American Heritage Museum. $30 Adults | $25 Seniors/Veterans | $20 Children 3 to 16 years old.