World War I, also known as The Great War, was a turning point for the world in so many ways. In the U.S., its shadow was long felt by the troops who served in the war and those who knew them personally. The sacrifice of those individuals to protect their country is the focus of a new exhibit by the National Aviation Museum, and U.S. Money Reserve is working to contribute to that effort. Read on for a look at how the two organizations are taking strides to bring well-deserved attention to the servicemen of the first World War.
Museum Background
The National Naval Aviation Museum is part of the Navy’s museum system and is the largest of 12 official Navy museums in the U.S. The Museum’s mission is to “select, collect, preserve, and display historic artifacts relating to the history of Naval Aviation.” This allows the Museum not only to highlight the important work conducted by the Navy throughout U.S. history, but also to bring attention to the sacrifices and hardships undertaken by Navy veterans.
The Museum’s collections include more than 700 aircraft, almost all of which are either on display at the museum or aboard the Naval Air Station Pensacola. Many of these aircraft are well known to the general public and include craft like the NC-4 flying boat, which was the first plane to fly across the Atlantic. In addition to the aircraft, the Museum showcases a wide range of items that have been used by veterans in combat, such as flight gear, uniforms, and weaponry. The extensive collection also includes medals, photographs, correspondence, and official papers to document the lives of the men and women who have served in the Navy.
Information on the Foundation
The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works on fundraising efforts that support the development of the Museum. Founded in 1966, the Foundation has raised more than $80 million to aid the Museum in constructing its location, preserving and maintaining historic aircraft, and expanding museum exhibits. The overall goal of the Foundation is to assist the Museum in bringing the proud history of naval aviation to new generations through preservation. Through these efforts, the Foundation honors the men and women who have served in the Navy and contributed to the country’s safety and well-being.
The organization also maintains a strong focus on education to inspire young people to learn more about the Navy’s history and encourage their pursuits in STEM learning. The Foundation accomplishes this in a number of ways, such as a field trip program for students in grades K–12 to visit the museum in person. The Foundation also runs a program intended to introduce students in grades 6–8 to the science of flight. This is accomplished through the use of interactive devices and hands-on educational experiences. Because of the influence of these programs and more, the Foundation itself is a leading institution concerned with the introduction of flight and other topics of scientific importance to young people.
World War I Initiative
One major undertaking for the Museum and the Foundation has been the design and construction of the upcoming exhibit to honor the memory of World War I, entitled “The Great War.” The exhibit is set to open to the public in 2021 and will not only honor the sacrifice of the Americans who served in the war but also place an emphasis on the importance of U.S. naval aviation during the conflict.
To mark the occasion, U.S. Money Reserve will present the Great War series of coins to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. The presentation is scheduled to take place at 11:11 p.m. on Monday, November 11. The date, Veterans Day, was formerly known as Armistice Day to recognize the signing of the armistice that marked the official end of World War I. The event will take place at the Museum in Pensacola, Florida, and will coincide with the company’s launch of the coins themselves. In addition to the ceremony and the upcoming exhibit, the Foundation and the company plan to develop a range of events and initiatives to take place in 2020 and beyond.
Comments from Institutions
Both organizations are excited to have the chance to work with each other, each having expressed praise for the other in recent comments. U.S. Money Reserve’s CEO, Angela Roberts, called it a “great privilege to be affiliated with the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.”
“We honor those brave men and women who have served our country,” she said, “and will never forget the sacrifices that were made to ensure our freedoms today and for all future generations.”
The president of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, retired Marine Lieutenant General Duane Thiessen, also noted that it was a “great privilege to work with U.S. Money Reserve.” He added that the Foundation was “very grateful for this organization’s commitment to helping us build an exhibit that will pay tribute to this powerful time in history.”
Coin Information
All of the coins in the Great War series offered by U.S. Money Reserve are designated as official legal tender. Four of the coins form the End of World War I 100th Anniversary set. These coins vary in composition and size and include a two-ounce gold proof set in high relief, a one-fourth-ounce gold proof, a one-ounce silver proof, and a five-ounce silver antiqued coin. In addition to these four coins, the series contains an additional Treaty of Versailles 100th Anniversary one-ounce gold proof coin. The company is the exclusive U.S. distributor of the four-coin series and the worldwide distributor of the Treaty of Versailles 100th Anniversary coin.
The coins themselves were minted in limited quantities and are struck from .9999 pure gold or .9999 pure silver. Much has been written about the ability of precious metals to serve as assets for customers seeking to buy items for their portfolios. This is, in part, because of the way these metals tend to hold their prices during times of financial instability. Therefore, many view them as potential safe-haven assets that can be used to protect against the volatility of other financial assets.
In light of the upside of the coins and their historical significance, the recent partnership between U.S. Money Reserve and the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation is drawing plenty of attention. It is serving to promote the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to serve the National Naval Aviation Museum and educate young and old alike on the sacrifices incurred by servicemen of the first World War. With more collaborations planned and the Museum’s exhibit on the subject set to open in 2021, there should be even more opportunities in the near future for the public to become informed on this important topic.
About the Company
U.S. Money Reserve was founded in 2001 and is one of the leading distributors of government-issued legal tender comprised of gold, silver, and platinum. The company’s president, Philip N. Diehl, is a former director of the U.S. Mint, a background that affords him unique insights into both public policy and personal financial security. He brings this insight to all of his work with the company, creating a culture among account executives that is based on industry knowledge and customized to the specific needs of each customer’s portfolio. Thanks to these efforts, the company has repeatedly been singled out for its customer service and has earned an AAA rating from the Business Consumer Alliance.
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