U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH), an American military veteran, on Oct. 27 participated in the grand opening of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio.
“The opening of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum is the culmination of a collaborative effort of our community, local officials, the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, and the entire Ohio congressional delegation,” said Rep. Stivers, who was joined during the Saturday event by the entire Ohio contingent from Congress, and former U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH).
“It has been an honor to be part of the incredible effort to make this vision a reality,” said Rep. Stivers, who supported the national designation legislation that was signed into law by the president on June 21.
The museum is a civic landmark dedicated to honor, connect, inspire and educate visitors about the service and sacrifice of the nation’s more than 22 million veterans, according to Stiver’s staff, who noted that the public museum is unique in that the information shared covers the experiences of U.S. veterans who served in all eras, conflicts and branches of the military.
During the recent grand opening event, Rep. Stivers called it “an exciting day for me personally.”
The congressman, who previously served as a Brigadier General in the Ohio Army National Guard, said he has firsthand knowledge about “the sacrifices our veterans make for our freedoms. The National Veterans Memorial and Museum will be an exemplary way to honor veterans of the past, present and future.”
Also joining him during the grand opening were members of the Ohio congressional delegation: U.S. Reps. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Bob Latta (R-OH), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Mike Turner (R-OH), Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Tim Ryan (D-OH), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Jim Renacci (R-OH), and Jim Jordan (R-OH), who also signed on as cosponsors of the national designation legislation.
Construction on the museum broke ground in December 2015, according to Rep. Stiver’s statement.