During past and recent litigations involving the ownership status, physical state, and current location of the Corporal Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum (The Bunker), at 3400 North Tanner Road, Orlando, Florida 32826, it has come to our attention of the possibility of the above museum being shut down or relocated to another area.
The Corporal Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum, Inc., (formerly known as the National Vietnam Veterans War Museum) established in 2000, is a Central Florida non-profit museum. Since its establishment, it has been visited by local residents, school children of all ages, youth organizations, military veterans both retired and active, others from all over the state of Florida and even visiting guests from other countries.
The museum brings the people and events of the bitter, divisive Vietnam conflict to life, so that current and future generations of Americans remember the Vietnam veterans’ legacy of service, sacrifice, and valor. It also hopes that all those passing through its gates will leave with a better understanding of past and present military conflicts. The museum also includes the first monument, in the state of Florida, dedicated to fallen Vietnam War veterans, with 167 names of men and women from Orange County, Florida.
Together with the support of the Vietnam and All Veterans of Central Florida, Inc. and the Bunker Riders Motorcycle Association, the museum assists the servicemen and women of all wars and branches of military service, both retired and active, in our local and neighboring communities and others all over the world.
The museum’s mission statement is written as follows:
- First, to organize, foster and perpetuate awareness, information and education on the role the military played, the conditions that prevailed and the impact of the Vietnam War and subsequent wars on both the military member and society in general.
- Second, to provide assistance and support to all veterans during their readjustment to civilian life.
- Third, to honor the men, women, and their families who served and continue to serve this country in times of war and in peace.
We, as concerned students of East River High School, cadets of the Unites States Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), residents of the state of Florida, and citizens of the United States of America, demand for the museum to honor their mission statement and continue to provide their services, knowledge, and experiences of the Vietnam War from the location they have operated for the last 17 years.
