Governor Jindal Highlights Opening of New Pavilion at National WWII Museum in New Orleans

Press Release

Today, Governor Jindal highlighted the opening of The National World War II Museum's newest pavilion entitled Campaigns of Courage: European and Pacific Theaters Pavilion at a dedication ceremony in New Orleans. The ceremony also celebrated the opening of the pavilion's first exhibition, Road to Berlin: European-Mediterranean Campaign Theater. This museum expansion will serve to further educate visitors on the battles and events of World War II through new technology and archives. The state supported $10 million for the new pavilion. In total, the state has committed more than $55 million to projects at the National World War II Museum--$43 million of which was committed during the Jindal Administration.

Governor Jindal said, "We're proud to be one of the partners investing further to expand the National WWII Museum. The museum allows us to honor our veterans who fought tirelessly to protect our freedoms when they were threatened. This new pavilion and the entire museum reminds us that America stands for freedom and the hope of the free world, and it tells the story of American bravery and courage to all who visit.

"The greatest generation of Americans responded to the call of duty to fight in World War II, and their courage helped protect us and shape our nation's history forever. This museum is our way of thanking them for their bravery and for running into danger when many would run away from it. It is also our way of teaching our children to respect and honor sacrifice, heroism, courage, and selflessness in defense of friends, family and freedom. Indeed, this new pavilion and the National World War II Museum will allow us to honor our veterans for years to come."

The new pavilion is part of a $325 million capital expansion project at the National World War II Museum. The expansion will feature two, state-of-the-art exhibitions that will enhance the museum's current archives and provide insight into the global scope of the war through interactive displays, images, oral histories and artifacts. The new, 32,000-square-foot pavilion is an expansive space that quadruples the size of the original WWII museum.

The pavilion's first exhibit, Road to Berlin, gives audiences a glimpse into the challenges, strategies and operations that Americans faced in the events that preceded D-Day in 1944. This 17,000-square-foot pavilion showcases eight galleries that present narratives alongside stunning displays that mimic the environments of actual battle scenes. Road to Berlin represents a new way to understand America's story of the war in Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean. The pavilion's second exhibit, Road to Tokyo: Asia-Pacific Campaign Theater, is currently under way and will explore the evolving strategy for fighting across the Pacific and in Asia. This space is set to open in 2015.

Upon the project's completion in 2017, the museum will stand as a leading resource to learn about the value and significance of American veterans in WWII.

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