Soldiers Memorial Military Museum

05/28/2026

Coming this summer to Soldiers Memorial: “Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces.”

For generations, Native Americans have served in the U.S. military, often in extraordinary numbers. But why?

This powerful traveling exhibition explores the answers through stories of service, sacrifice, and sovereignty.

🗓️ Opens June 20
📍 Soldiers Memorial Military Museum



This exhibition is organized by Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.

05/26/2026

Thank you to everyone who spent part of your Memorial Day with us at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum yesterday.

Your presence helped honor the lives and service of those who gave everything.

We’re grateful to remember alongside you 🇺🇸

05/25/2026

Today, we observe Memorial Day — a time to honor and remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

At Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, we gather in reflection and gratitude, recognizing their profound sacrifice.

Join us for a ceremony of remembrance as we honor their lives through music, reflection, and community.

📍Today at 10am | Free and open to the public
🎞️ Memorial Day video: https://bit.ly/3RjLmXU

05/24/2026

Memorial Day has been observed on different dates throughout our nation’s history, but its purpose has never changed — to honor those who gave their lives in service.

On May 30, 1962 — then recognized as Memorial Day — Walter T. Guerin entered the United States Marine Corps. After serving in Vietnam in 1963 and 1964, Sgt. Guerin returned for a second tour in 1965 with Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.

On February 7, 1966, while serving near Cam Sa Village in Quang Nam Province, Sgt. Guerin was killed in action. He was laid to rest at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery and posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

Sgt. Guerin’s family ensured his story would be remembered. They donated personal items from his service — including his Purple Heart and Marine Corps uniform — to Soldiers Memorial Military Museum in St. Louis. These artifacts became the museum’s first Vietnam-era Marine Corps accession and remain a powerful reminder of his sacrifice.

Today, and every day, Soldiers Memorial stands as a place of remembrance — for Sgt. Guerin and for all who gave their lives in service.

05/24/2026

💌 "You can have but little idea of the influence you have over me, Julia, even while so far away. I am more or less governed by what I think is your will."

This Bridgerton-level declaration of love is actually from one of the love letters written by Ulysses S. Grant to his first love, Julia Dent.

While he was known as a ruthless general, or by his scandal-ridden presidency, at home Grant was a devoted and loving husband.

They met through Julia's brother, Fred, and had to keep their engagement a secret for over a year due to their societal differences. They were kept apart during the Mexican-American war, and that's when they took to writing letters.

To learn more about president Grant's love story check out this History Spotlight: https://bit.ly/4fAQxMZ

05/24/2026

Make plans to visit us this Memorial Day 🇺🇸

Both Soldiers Memorial and the Missouri History Museum will be open from 10am–5pm. Spend your day reflecting, exploring, and connecting with St. Louis history.

05/22/2026

“Having community members come out here and take care of the memorial speaks volumes… It’s really the community’s memorial." — Mark Sundlov, Managing Director of Soldiers Memorial Military Museum.

We’re grateful to the more than 20 Bank of America employees who volunteered to pick up trash around Soldiers Memorial to keep it pristine ahead of our Memorial Day observance.

Join us Monday, May 20, at 10:00 am for our annual Memorial Day observance to honor those who sacrificed their lives protecting our country. This event is free and includes a wreath-laying ceremony and a musical tribute. For more information, visit: https://mohistory.org/events/memorial-day

Join Mandy Murphey, Shirley Washington, Glenn Zimmerman, and Martin Kilcoyne at 5 p.m. for the latest breaking news, weather, and sports.St. Louis News: FOX ...

05/22/2026

This Monday.

Take a moment to reflect and remember at Soldiers Memorial.

Our Memorial Day ceremony offers space to honor those who gave everything in service to our country.

📍 May 25 at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum

Plan your visit: https://bit.ly/4axylOd

05/20/2026

Coming this summer to Soldiers Memorial Military Museum: "Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces"

Native Americans have served in the U.S. military in extraordinary numbers for generations—since the American Revolution to today.

But their service raises a powerful question: Why serve a nation that has also challenged your sovereignty, culture, and land?

This nationally traveling exhibition explores the answers through stories of service, identity, and resilience.

📍 Opens June 20 at Soldiers Memorial

05/20/2026

Honor. Remember. Reflect.

Join us this Memorial Day at Soldiers Memorial to reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in defense of our country.

This solemn and powerful event honors the memory of America’s fallen service members and includes a wreath-laying ceremony and musical tribute.

📍 Soldiers Memorial Military Museum (1315 Chestnut Street)
🗓️ Monday, May 25 at 10am

05/19/2026

Frederick Matzker served as a Technician, 5th Grade, in the US Army infantry during World War II, working as a radio operator in Italy.

Sadly was Killed in Action in 1944 while serving overseas. Before entering military service, Matzker worked in woodworking and was the son of Edward and Pearl Matzker.

Today we remember his service and sacrifice.