What you must see in Fayetteville, NC
When we are planning a long road trip, we always try to build in stops to eat, stretch our legs, and take potty breaks. It makes long stretches more bearable. When the opportunity presents itself, we like to see what might be on the way and take in the sights or visit new places. On our trip from Baltimore to Charleston, SC, we found a museum that we just can’t say enough good things about, The Airborne and Special Operations Museum.
With Fayetteville being just outside of Fort Bragg, NC it seemed appropriate to experience some armed service history in this military town. And besides, we just wanted a quick stop, so that was probably the place. Little did we know that you can spend 2 or 3 hours here, even more if you read every bit of information. It is so well organized and provides such detailed information that it is easy to lose track of time in the most enjoyable way.
We had little expectation when we turned off the main road, but we were greeted with a field of full size American flags billowing in the southern sun. This must be the place! We learned that this Field of Honor was a temporary tribute and living display honoring those currently serving in the military, those who have previously served, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for American freedom. It was deeply moving to stand in the quiet of that moment with only the sound of the flags in the breeze.
The U.S. Army owns and operates this ~50,000 square foot museum which opened in 2000. It includes exhibits from 1940 to the present day and into the future of American Special Forces. Your tour begins before you ever enter the building as you’re greeted by “Iron Mike.”
In the military, this slang term was used to define men that were especially tough or brave. We learned that there are various monuments honoring service men and women that uses this name, including one in Quantico, VA, Parris Island, SC, and just up the road at Fort Bragg, home to the 82nd Airborne. In fact, the “Mike” that greets you here at the museum was the original statue at Fort Bragg. But due to age and deterioration, it was replaced with a bronze version and it’s namesake was refurbished and moved to stand watch here at ASOM. Designed to represent the spirit of the Airborne trooper, artist and military spouse Leah Hiebert fashioned this statue in the likeness of Sergeant Major James Runyon who posed for four hours a day in 20 minute increments wearing his full WW2 uniform. It’s official name is “Airborne Trooper” but is known by all as “Iron Mike.”
Once inside the main atrium, you are greeted by two paratroopers in full gear coming in for a landing. To your right (their left) is a tribute wall that lists the names of those who have received America’s highest military award for valor, the Congressional Medal of Honor. There have been a total of 3508 recipients, with 66 currently living as of the time of writing this post. There are three variations of the medal based on branch of service, Army, Air Force, and Navy, Marine and Coast Guard.
You begin your self guided tour through the door as you step back in time to 1940 where you are introduced to the U.S. Test Platoon and the development of their new weapon – the American Paratrooper. Now, I don’t know about you, but the thought of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane terrifies me! Can you imagine being the first do ever do it? Well that title belongs to Lieutenant Bill Ryder who on August 16, 1940 became the first soldier to exit that plane door. You can learn all about him and the others that followed him into Airborne history.
Next, you’ll walk through the war torn streets of Normandy during Operation OVERLORD. This life size diorama allows you to get up close and personal with the Special Operations forces of WW2. The sights and sounds of war-torn France is all around you, from the bullet holes in the building walls to the C-47 over your head with a paratrooper at the ready in the flight door.
You’ll make your way through history as you experience scenes of the Korean War, the Vietnam War, as well as the Global War on Terrorism. Experience a rescue mission in Panama under the cover of night. Come up close and personal with a completely restored WACO CG-4A glider, one of the few left in the world. See the 173rd Airborne Division at work with their UH-1 “Huey” helicopter. Stand next to the monster recon vehicle, the M551A1 Sheridan, which you may call a tank, but was light enough to be dropped by parachute!
But nothing could have prepared us for the emotional response that we had to the wreckage of the Battle of Mogadishu, better known as “Black Hawk Down.” Two American Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were shot down by Somali forces in 1993. The defense of these helicopters was depicted in the 2001 film Black Hawk Down. Even now, there is such deep sadness in my chest at the thought of standing there. Maybe it is because it was a moment in my lifetime, maybe it is because I remember the photo of the dead American soldier being drug through the streets, or maybe it is just being the mother of boys and trying to understand what the mothers of those soldiers must be going through even today.
Placed adjacent to that moving tribute is a large beam of battered steel from the World Trade Center in NYC, taken from the September 11, 2001 attack. With it, enclosed in a glass case, is a piece of the limestone wall from the Pentagon. And lest we forget, a photograph taken in Shanksville, PA shows a pillowing cloud of smoke in the distance that was the crash of Flight 93. Whereas not a direct representation of Army Airborne and military Special Ops, it was the catalyst of many men and women called to serve their country, and leaves one feeling immensely grateful and just a little bit numb.
The Airborne and Special Operations Museum is family friendly and appeals to all ages. There is no admission fee, but donations are encouraged and graciously accepted, so please tuck a little cash in your pocket. We did!
We are in no way affiliated with the museum, but if you are interested in other ways to support their mission, they have set up other ways to give. You can become a Friend for as low as $50 a year. If this is in your hometown, this might be a way for you to support your community. Have a loved one who is serving or has served? You can purchase a paver stone or honor monument for them. Or they are even set up on Amazon Smile as a charitable organization for your to support. You can find out all the details on their website.
We hope that you’ll make a trip to experience all that the ASOM has to offer. If you do, be sure to tag us on Instagram @norolesjustbiscuits
And there’s plenty more to do and see in Fayetteville! The Cape Fear Botanical Garden is 80 acres of beauty quietly resting between Cross Creek and the Cape Fear River. With tours and specialty gardens like the Butterfly Stroll and the Children’s garden, it’s a great way to spend the day outdoors. Or maybe you’d like to visit the home of E. A. Poe? Oh, not the writer, but the owner of the local Poe Brick Company. It must have been grand taking tea on that front porch! Or maybe you love historical buildings – then The Market House should be on your list. But first, learn about the history of the U.S. Army Airborne and their counterparts the special forces of the Airforce, the Navy, and the Marines.