Trifter

Image via Wikipedia

If you are planning a trip to the Big Easy, New Orleans, you must set aside time in your itinerary for a trip to the D-Day museum. The Museum is the only museum that specifically addresses the D-Day invasions of June 6, 1944.

There are tons of exhibits…literally! It is a strange sight to see an actual C-47 military transport plane hanging from the ceiling above your head, but even stranger is their exhibit of the landing boats that dropped thousands of men off on the beaches for their meeting with destiny. These boats, called, Higgins Boats, were designed and manufactured in New Orleans by the Higgins Company and although there were many copycats, the main thrust of the landing fleet in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters relied on the Higgins boat.

Another great exhibit is an actual PT boat, PT-305. PT stands for Patrol Torpedo boats and they were considered the knights of the sea. Mainly patrolling coastal and inland waters they were constantly on the lookout for enemy watercraft. The late President John Kennedy served on a PT boat, PT-109, that became famous during battles with the Japanese in the Pacific war theater.

There are also numerous exhibits that tell the story of the planning that came before the actual invasion and also artifacts of the invasion donated with personal stories by the men who fought there.

The D-day Museum is open 7 days a week from 9:00 – 5:00 and has facilities that can be booked for special event or parties. It is located at 945 Magazine Street and the General Information phone number is (504) 527-6012.  Admission for adults starts at only $16.00.

If you are a history buff or even if you are not, you should plan a visit to the D-day Museum. What better way to honor the men and women that fought to keep our country free? However, don’t come thinking that a couple of hours will cover all there is to see! This is a museum unlike any other and it will take you a good day to see most of the exhibits and it’s even bigger and better since the repairs after hurricane Katrina. Snacks and drinks are available and the museum store is just great. So, go down to the Big Easy and see the D-day museum. It is something you will remember and talk about for years to come – oh, and bring the grandkids, they also should know about the contribution to our freedom by what has been called, the greatest generation.