Open house for proposed wartime museum draws thousands

NOKESVILLE, VA. - Allan Cors owns so many tanks, he's lost count.

"I really don't know," he said, at the annual American Wartime Museum's open house. "I have approximately 90 to 100 vehicles, everything from motorcycles to 60-ton heavy tanks. Most I bought in Europe -- in England, Germany, France, Sweden and Switzerland. It really started out to be a collection, just like anybody who would collect stamps."

Cors, chairman of the museum's board, began collecting in 1982 with the purchase of a Jeep. For the next three years, he bought primarily "soft skin" vehicles -- or, those that aren't armored -- and in 1985, found his first tank.

"It was a World War Two Stuart M5A1," he said. "A light tank."

Most of his equipment was on display at the two-day open house Saturday and Sunday at Aden Field in Nokesville.

The affair, which this year drew a registration total that surpassed 4,000, touted a schedule that included everything from helicopter and tank rides to flame thrower demonstrations and other living history reenactments.

"The main purpose of the event is so people can come out and get a feeling for what the museum will be like," said Craig Stewart, president and CEO of the museum. "It's a fun day, people can see the vehicles, the helicopters."

The take-away for visitors, however, should not be a focus on war, Cors said.

"This is just a small part of what the museum is about," he said, of the tanks, vehicles and air craft on the field. "It's not about tanks, not about helicopters and guns. It's about men and women. It's about values, and it's to honor those who served by telling their stories … to educate [visitors] … and hopefully, to inspire them to do something that helps them contribute back to the community and country."

The physical museum, which is currently in the construction phase, will be located at the junction of Interstate 95 and Dale Boulevard near the existing K-Mart in Prince William County. It's due for opening in 2014, said Kathy Bentz, communications official for the county's Arts Council.

"We'll hold this [open house] every year until the permanent museum opens," she said. "It's to give a sneak peek of what the permanent one will offer."

In addition to displaying equipment from past wars,the actual museum will also provide a selection of stories from veterans on video tape.

"They'll talk about their war time experience, veterans from World War II to present time," said Greg Pass, the manager of the museum's wartime oral history project and a 1st sergeant with the Prince William police.

Pass, who is also in the midst of writing a book -- working title, "Scrapbook of Heroes" -- about military veterans who transition to police work, and their stories of heroism, battle and camaraderie, said volunteers are needed to help with the oral history project. Those with interviewing and editing skills, or a background in the military, are especially encouraged to volunteer, he said.

Also needed, he said, are veterans and military family members with stories to share.

Interested individuals can visit the museum's website, www.nmaw.org, for more information.

Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-530-3903.