Spring Fling 2026 - Day 22: the National US Army Museum and Visiting More Friends

We drove the CRV about 2 hours in morning rush traffic to the National US Army Museum in Fort Belvoir, VA.

A very well laid out museum that use basically the snapshot method to try and give the visitor and idea of the 250 year history of the Army and the US.

As usual, here's some of the things that caught my eye: 

Today's moto content:

This flag was floor to ceiling.  It's filled with rows of soldier figures representing the number of soldiers who served in WWII:

The predecessor to the Army's C Rations: K Rations.

A nuclear weapon for the Infantry!

Zoom in to see the NATO vs Warsaw Pact opposing alignments....I was with the 1st Armored Division, part of VII Corps 

C Rations, the rations I "enjoyed" early in my career.  These were the predecessors to todays MRE meals.  Note: the versions I had didn't have cigarettes, I figure these were from Vietnam era.

A display in the Global War on Terror Section, showing soldiers use some new technologies such as drones/small robots.  The captured motorcycle is the last of today's Moto content.

I learned the Army had the initial mission to protect what became some of the earliest national parks:

Cool ceiling display of army ribbons:

Officers Manual from the Revolutionary War:

I learned also of the role played by Native American fighters and Slaves:

A very good museum, I recommend visiting it.  And, it's free admission!

We were finished at the museum shortly before noon so we drove the short distance over to Alexandria to meet up with a ROTC friend of mine John W.  We had a nice chat with him and his wife Jean.

We then went to lunch at a nearby Greek restaurant: 

We return to John's house after lunch and he showed us his beautifully landscaped backyard and front yard. 

John and Jean's dogs, very friendly and active.

Soon enough it was time to hit the road and spend a glorious 2 hours or so driving in afternoon rush hour traffic this time heading west back towards Marshall, VA.  We were pelted by some pretty heavy rain for a few minutes while on westbound interstate 66 but no issues. 

Lee and Lyn's son Christopher, how long was his lovely wife Katelyn and 2 yr old daughter Ripley had arrived today from New Mexico. They will be here through the memorial day weekend.