Chartering a course for history

The Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park sits on Lake Erie, looking out toward Canada.

Park visitors will find a museum and several decommissioned U.S. Navy vessels, including the USS The Sullivans, named after the five brothers who were killed during World War II. The submarine USS Croaker and the cruiser USS Little Rock are also available for tours.

Ticket holders get into the museum and have access to the ships, said John Branning, museum superintendent, who retired after 22 years in the Navy.

“You get the appreciation for how big they are – they are not kidding around,” Branning said. “On board, it’s unique, especially for veterans, whether it’s someone who was actually stationed on board or not. You will see some of these gentlemen with their walkers, and then see a former sailor on board. They will straighten up, and they’re not someone in their 80s or 90s anymore, they’ve been taken back to when they were 18 or 19. It doesn’t last long, but it’s neat to watch.”

Inside the museum, there is a special display for World War II veterans. Called “Share Your Story,” it allows World War II vets to scribble their memories on yellow Post-It notes and leave behind on a board for other visitors to read and learn about the first-hand accounts.

“We collect these stories throughout the year – when we’re open April through November – and I collect all of those for the future,” Branning said. “We hope to do something with them, maybe digitize them and catalog them in a digital format.”

The park, located at 1 Naval Park Cove in Buffalo, is not just for older veterans, however.

Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, classes and other youth groups have participated in an overnight history lesson, staying on board the USS Little Rock. Often, World War II re-enactors provide age-appropriate lessons for the kids on board the only guided-missile cruiser on display in the United States.

Branning said education is a critical role of the museum.

“Our job is to preserve the legacy and heritage of all veterans past, present and future,” he said. “Of course, part of that is the education. The school systems don’t teach history, especially military history. So this gives a hands-on approach opportunity for people of all ages who might not have been associated with the military to get an appreciation of what our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guard personnel – men and women – have gone through. That to me, is what makes it all worthwhile.”

Next spring, the park will host a unique ceremony when the USS Little Rock will be commissioned. It is interesting to note that, during the Navy’s 240-year history, the commissioning of the USS Little Rock will mark the first time that a ship will be commissioned alongside its namesake ship.

In addition to the ships, visitors will find smaller vehicles, vessels and other military memorabilia, most of which was donated by people with ties to western New York.

Museum visitors will see photos of mostly western New York veterans adorning the walls. As of mid-September, there were 546 photographs of veterans ranging from World War I to those still serving.

“The photographs are the original context of people who are associated with western New York. But since we started, it’s kind of exploded with people from all over the world. They want to make sure that their family members are remembered here,” said Branning, whose father, children and other family members have a place of honor among the photos displayed. “It’s kind of unique to see all the photos. You have people from World War II right next to people who fought in Iraq and just got out of the military.”

And that dedication to honoring and remembering those who served is what drives Branning.

“It’s not about us as individuals,” he said. “It’s about all of us, and what unites us as brothers and sisters in arms. This is an opportunity to carry our legacy forward.”