09/02/2026
The last major campaigns of World War II in Europe took place in 1944 and 1945. Intense combat culminated in the fall of the French fortress of Metz on November 22, 1944, which opened the Saar region to Patton’s Third Army. On another front, Allied forces in the Ardennes were taken by surprise when the German army launched a major offensive on December 16, 1944, which became known as the Battle of the Bulge. Victory in both campaigns directly contributed to the defeat of N**i Germany.
Soldiers & Sailors is developing a new permanent exhibit to honor local veterans of these key battles. The museum possesses exceptional artifacts from the two campaigns that will allow visitors to feel like they are experiencing history firsthand. We have the content ready; we now need your support to create the best display possible. Our current showcase areas are outdated and are being replaced with new, state-of-the-art display spaces. To establish a dedicated case for Metz and the Battle of the Bulge, we need your help to raise $25,000 to match an existing donation of $20,000. When we reach the goal, the current case will be removed, and a new, enhanced structure will be installed. This upgrade will include additional depth for the case, new lighting, and humidity control. The most significant improvement will be a specially engineered single-pane glass door that eliminates visual impairments. By donating today, you can honor the memory of our heroes—perhaps family members, neighbors, or friends who fought in Europe during the war’s final months. They deserve to be remembered.
To donate towards the meaningful revisions to this exhibit, visit our donation page at https://www.soldiersandsailorshall.org/museum-exhibit-redesign-project-campaign/!
