110 W. New York Ave., DeLand, FL
386-734-4622
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Welcome — Former Mayor John Masiarczyk welcomes Larry DeMatteo to the museum. A Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, Masiarczyk first mobilized volunteers in 2001 to begin clearing the site at the intersection of Elkcam Boulevard and Evard Avenue for Veterans Memorial Park. The museum opened May 24.
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The 'PX' — Working in the "PX' of the Deltona Veterans Museum at the May 24 opening are Barbara Masiarczyk and Ida Jane Wegrzyn, wife and mother, respectively, of former Deltona Mayor John Masiarczyk, who was a major force behind creation of the museum.
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Waiting to look inside — Disabilities do not stop Mildred White and Bob Grant, both of Deltona, from attending the opening of the Deltona Veterans Museum. Along with others, they await a chance to look inside. White is an Army veteran and a former commander of American Legion Post 127 in Lake Helen.
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Remember the sacrifices — Florida State Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, calls upon his audience to remember the sacrifices of Americans in harm's way. A veteran of the Iraq War, Baker noted the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are still going on, and he warned "the sacrifices will not end this year." Also listening to Baker speak at the May 24 grand opening of the Deltona Veterans Museum are, from left, retired Marine Corps Maj. Mick Cotten, chairman of the Veterans Community Education Partnership (VCEP); Deltona City Commissioner Paul Treusch; and Bob Balzer, of the Korean War Veterans Association.
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Looking sharp — Still looking sharp in uniform, former Orange City Council Member George Stone awaits the opening of the Deltona Veterans Museum. Stone is a retired U.S. Air Force sergeant.
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Crowds listen — Though clouds gather on the horizons, crowds listen to The Star-Spangled Banner at the outset of the May 24 opening ceremony for the Deltona Veterans Museum.
By Al Everson
posted Jun 2, 2009 - 9:49:12am
Years of planning and dreaming finally became reality, when the Deltona Veterans Museum opened its doors to the public.
The grand opening of the museum honoring the service and sacrifices of former, current and future members of the U.S. armed forces occurred Sunday afternoon, May 24. The event attracted 300 or more people, who felt the occasion fitting for the Memorial Day weekend.
A nonprofit organization, the Veterans Community Education Partnership Inc. (VCEP), built the 3,000-square-foot museum in Deltona's Veterans Memorial Park at a cost of $300,000. The City of Deltona contributed $150,000, to match private donations raised by the VCEP.
The Veterans Museum features showcases of military memorabilia from each of the major wars in American history, along with a library, meeting space, storage space and restrooms.
The museum is open between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays and between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sundays. There is no admission charge, but donations are welcome. The museum is also seeking donations of military items for display.
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