A military-branded C.R. England truck and trailer, driven by a military veteran, was escorted the final 15 miles by a veterans motorcycle group, Patriot Guard Riders, as they completed the delivery of an exhibit, 'Victory from Within: The American Prisoner of War Experience,' to the Fort Douglas Military Museum on Oct.19.
"We at C.R. England feel honored to help bring such a meaningful exhibit to Utah," said Dan England, chairman. "For all that veterans have done for us, and prisoners of war have suffered, this exhibit is a powerful homage to their lives and legacies. Our team took special care in protecting this exhibit during its journey to the Fort Douglas Museum."
This exhibit, which was transported in 12 crates, arrived in Utah from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. C.R. England provided transport of the exhibit at no charge. The exhibit is scheduled to open to the public on Nov. 7, 2015, and will remain in the museum through April 2016.
"My father was a prisoner of war in World War II, and I know first-hand the suffering that both the soldier and his family go through as part of that experience," said Bob Voyles, director of the Fort Douglas Military Museum. "This exhibit is important because it tells their story and the sacrifice that they made in the service of their country."
C.R. England driver Brent Sanger and his wife, Carol, drove 2,000 miles to bring the exhibit to the University of Utah campus. Bent is a 13-year U.S. Army veteran and is a member of England's Honored Veterans Fleet. The couple has driven with C.R. England for more than three years and are actively involved in C.R. England's other veteran initiatives, such as "Wreaths across America," where wreaths are placed across the country at various individual headstones and monuments of those who have fallen serving the country.
The 1,200-sq.-ft. exhibit is designed to educate the public about the stories and sacrifices of American prisoners of war. The four main sections of the exhibit – Capture, Prison Life, Those Who Wait and Freedom – contain artifacts as well as interactive elements such as audio-visual interviews with POWs.
Visitors will be able to explore the POW experience throughout the entire history of American military conflict, from the Civil War to modern conflicts.
