With help from the National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History, the IMAX Great Hall became a history exhibit for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. The items on display gave guests a better understanding of how soldiers were equipped for the invasion and paid tribute to Medal of Honor recipients.
Items included a Bible with an iron “bullet proof” cover carried ashore at Utah Beach by a 4th Division soldier; a copy of Eisenhower’s “Great Crusade” letter, given to each man as he left for Normandy, which numerous soldiers autographed as they crossed the Channel; a Normandy paratrooper’s First Aid kit; an original Normandy Paratrooper’s silk map and compass; a scale model of a paratrooper of the 101st Airborne with Normandy Invasion gear; a German Luger 9mm war trophy captured by a soldier who landed at Utah Beach; and displays of the three current Medals of Honor as well as the two Civil War medals.
The screening of “D-Day 3D: Normandy 1944” was introduced by General B.B. Bell. Charles Coolidge, 92, a Medal of Honor recipient from Chattanooga, attended the event with his family.