American Legion launches GI Bill exhibit at National WWII Museum

To kick of The American Legion Centennial Celebration, The American Legion opened a new temporary exhibit at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans. The exhibit, "The Greatest Legislation: An American Legion Salute to the GI Bill,” includes artifacts from the National Archives, the FDR Library and The American Legion Library, as well as interactive kiosks and display panels that tell the story of the original 1944 legislation, The American Legion's role in creating the bill and getting it passed through Congress, the effects of the bill on American society and the continuing legacy of veterans' benefits today.

Photos by Matthew Hinton/The American Legion

The first page of the original Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944, on display outside of The National Archives for the first time, is one of the showcase artifacts in The American Legion GI Bill exhibit at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Photo by Matthew Hinton
The first page of the original Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944, on display outside of The National Archives for the first time, is one of the showcase artifacts in The American Legion GI Bill exhibit at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Photo by Matthew Hinton
A pen used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to sign the Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944, is on display as part of The American Legion GI Bill exhibit in the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Photo by Matthew Hinton
A pen used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to sign the Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944, is on display as part of The American Legion GI Bill exhibit in the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Photo by Matthew Hinton
Breese Tomick, left, and Mina Steen, granddaughters of GI Bill author, American Legion Past National Commander Harry Colmery, tour the opening of The American Legion GI Bill exhibit at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Photo by Matthew Hinton
Breese Tomick, left, and Mina Steen, granddaughters of GI Bill author, American Legion Past National Commander Harry Colmery, tour the opening of The American Legion GI Bill exhibit at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Photo by Matthew Hinton
Dr. Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller welcomes attendees to the panel discussion “The GI Bill: Then and Now,” during the opening of the new GI Bill exhibit at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Panelists included American Legion Assistant Director of Education John Kamin, former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, VA Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity Curtis L. Coy, and President and CEO of Student Veterans of America Jared Lyon. Photo by Matthew Hinton
Dr. Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller welcomes attendees to the panel discussion “The GI Bill: Then and Now,” during the opening of the new GI Bill exhibit at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Panelists included American Legion Assistant Director of Education John Kamin, former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, VA Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity Curtis L. Coy, and President and CEO of Student Veterans of America Jared Lyon. Photo by Matthew Hinton
Jack Castrogiovanni, a World War II veteran who used GI Bill benefits, chats with former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, top right, before the panel discussion at the opening of The American Legion GI Bill exhibit in the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Photo by Matthew Hinton
Jack Castrogiovanni, a World War II veteran who used GI Bill benefits, chats with former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, top right, before the panel discussion at the opening of The American Legion GI Bill exhibit in the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Photo by Matthew Hinton
Nearly 200 attendees braved the leading edge of Tropical Storm Cindy to listen to the panel discussion, moderated by American Legion Past National Commander William Detweiler, center, during the opening of The American Legion GI Bill exhibit at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Photo by Matthew Hinton
Nearly 200 attendees braved the leading edge of Tropical Storm Cindy to listen to the panel discussion, moderated by American Legion Past National Commander William Detweiler, center, during the opening of The American Legion GI Bill exhibit at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Photo by Matthew Hinton