JULY 10, 2024: MUSEUM CONSTRUCTION STARTS
Trucks and Hard Hats and Amphibious Tractors!
On the heels of a successful Groundbreaking Ceremony in May, Samet Corporation – our general contractor – begin showing up on the site in force on 3 June 2024.
Where once was a beautiful but empty site now stands a construction trailer, earth moving equipment and hard hat-clad serious-minded folks dedicated to building this world class museum. Subcontractors are arriving as well with Samet conducting safety classes for everyone involved. A United States flag hangs at the construction trailer’s front door.
Of note also is the reaction of Samet Corporation team members when they saw a reenlistment ceremony occurring in front of our Eagle, Globe, and Anchor statue on Day One. The statue was to be blocked off during the 18-month construction period, temporarily eliminating the EGA as a potential site for reenlistments, promotions, and retirement ceremonies. Samet’s team, seeing the impact of the reenlistment event, immediately rearranged their fencing plans to ensure that the EGA will remain accessible throughout the construction process.
Members of our Ralph Appelbaum and Associates (RAA) team visited the site on 26 June after meeting with Museum staff to review the now 100% design development of exhibits. We are now moving into the fabrication phase with much excitement about the progress!
Also pictured in this update, you’ll see CEO Stewart, on July 10, conducting a focus group with active-duty military personnel aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune where he and his team received excellent input and feedback concerning current exhibit plans. Stewart also led a focus group comprised of high school seniors and recent high school graduates on the same day at the Jacksonville Transit building. Many excellent ideas and comments arose in both sessions and we continue to be proud of our community’s dedication to its Marines.
Even as focus groups are being held, Oehme Brothers War Horse Garage is meticulously restoring the LVT-4, an artifact which will play a central role in one of the Museum’s immersive exhibits. We continue to thank Col Bill and Melissa Ayers for sponsoring this artifact and for their long service to this organization.
