LANDCOM MUSEUM
More than a Museum
By Justin Parker ( USA ), LANDCOM
In May , Allied Land Command saw the culmination of months of work assembling icons and symbols , renovations to the Headquarters , and a reflection on the organization ’ s past . These efforts resulted in the LANDCOM Museum , which serves as a reminder to all the soldiers in Izmir of their predecessors ’ roles as well has their own in serving as the ultimate land advocate . Lt . Gen . Darryl Williams , Maj . Gen . Erhan Uzun and Sgt . Maj . James Kelley led the official ceremony and ribbon cutting event that created a permanent space in LANDCOM to review and admire the collective efforts of all the nations working at the Headquarters .
The museum communicates the importance of LANDCOM in NATO through two medium . The items housed within the museum , all hark back to critical engagements between LANDCOM Headquarters and the many distinguished visitors hosted here . These swords , stones , plaques and coins all give context to the position of LANDCOM both as the soldier ’ s advocate and as a command authority in times of crisis . LANDCOM strives to ensure all land elements within the Alliance are well prepared for any challenge that may arise , and the items stored in the museum are testaments to those efforts . Beyond the material , a story hangs on the walls of the museum . The history of the General Vecihi Akin ( GVA ) Garrison is one of international cooperation and collective security building . From the early 1950s through today , the GVA Garrison has hosted scores of soldiers who have worked together to bring the Alliance closer together . The pictures on the walls of the museum capture the faces of men and women who have served not just their own country , but the international community as a whole . These soldiers are leaders in the Euro-Atlantic framework , lending credibility and efficiency to the efforts of land soldiers across NATO . The museum allows visitors and soldiers alike to reflect and ponder the sacrifice and leadership of those committed to safeguarding peace . Lt . Gen . Darryl Williams remarked , “ it is the place to remember and honor previous contributions to the Land Domain from all of our NATO partners .”
The museum will not remain static , but will instead evolve to reflect the continuously changing environment that NATO persists through . It is and will continue to be more than a museum : it will be a testament to the importance of peace and the land domain ’ s role in assuring the Alliance can defend that peace .
32LAND POWER