National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Today was the most amazing day ever. It really was an emotional roller coaster ride. I was able to see some amazing airplanes, many of which I have never seen and never thought I would see. If you are interested in planes or military history definitely make a plan to visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

We arrived at the museum right when it opened at 9 a.m. and we didn’t finish until 15 minutes before closing. I heard someone say there are over 300 airplanes on display and I believe it. Wow, it was overwhelming to see Everything from a replica of the Wright Brothers plane to the Space Shuttle and everything in between. I was able to see an SR-71 Blackbird which I never thought I ever would see. There were presidential planes and some one of a kind NASA aircraft. The museum is really well done and mostly accessible where possible. Of course, some of the planes that had steps to get into them were far too skinny for a wheelchair to even navigate through even if they did have a ramp. So Sandy just went in and took videos for me which I will upload when I can, We also took over 300 pictures both normal and 360 pictures which I am hoping to get online tonight and link in this post.

Mixed in with the airplane displays were very personal artifacts from soldiers from every war. There was also a Holocaust exhibit. This is where the emotions ran high. I found myself tearing up at the thought of what people went through in these eras of history. The displays really made me think about what our country asks of people in times of war and what they go through in service to our country. Even if you don’t agree with war or the military I think you would feel the same way after seeing the letters written to people back home and a violin from a kid who is now a man, who saw his family beaten by Nazis while they made him play a happy German song as he put it in his letter.

There was so much history to read on the walls if I had read it all we wouldn’t be in Chicago tonight. I am hoping to go back again someday and visit all the Wright Brothers sites and be able to explore the museum in more detail. For now, though that was an amazing experience that I hope you all will get to have someday.

For the next couple days, I will be in Chicago at the TVX conference. I may post some about it but I am not sure yet. We are also hoping to explore some of the city while we are here and I will definitely post about that if we get to do that.