June 2025
Military history museum holds appreciation celebration
WWII Army Veteran Jack Einstein, right, chats with some WWII reenactors during Military Appreciation/Living History Day. (courtesy P.M. Fravel)
by Gregg MacDonald, Staff Writer
Jack Einstein, a distant relative of Albert Einstein, was born in Radford, Va., in 1924. This was the same year that J. Edgar Hoover became the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held in New York City. Today, Einstein — a WWII Army veteran who will turn 101 next month — is still going strong and frequently takes part in the annual Military Appreciation/Living History Day at the American Military Heritage Museum in Stephens City, Va. “I always enjoy talking to youngsters who ask me all sorts of questions about WWII,” he says.
Now, in its 12th year, this year’s event will take place on Saturday, June 7. “It all started in 2014 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of D-Day,” says historian P.M. Fravel, who owns the museum and has seen annual event attendance grow threefold, from 400 people in its first year to 1,200 people last year. He says the event allows veterans to get together and reminisce. “To me, the best compliment we ever get is when veterans’ family members come up and say, ‘This is the most granddad has ever spoken about his service.’”
The free event will be held rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will include an expansive museum display of original artifacts depicting America’s involvement during WWII, as well as displays on the Civil War, World War I, Korea and Vietnam.
A tank and other military displays sit in front of the American Military Heritage Museum.
Reunions for military veterans will start at 10:30 a.m., followed by a group photograph at 11:30 a.m. All veterans who register as they enter will also receive a full BBQ luncheon at noon. The museum encourages local veterans to spread the word about the event and spend the day there.
“A variety of military history reenactors will provide numerous ‘living history’ displays and interpretations throughout the day,” Fravel says. “Two U.S. Military tanks, including an operational WWII Stuart tank, will be on display. A military dress-up area for children will also be available, as well as free WWII Jeep rides throughout the day.”
The American Military Heritage Museum is located at 811 Fairfax Pike, 1.5 miles east of Stephens City, Va. For more information, visit facebook.com/amhmuseum or contact P.M. Fravel at [email protected].