Berlin Wall Exhibit Opening

This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.  Dividing both a city and a nation, the Wall symbolized the struggle for dominance between Western democracies & Eastern Bloc regimes for nearly four decades.  During the Wall's existence there were approximately 5,000 successful escapes to the West, while at least 136 people died trying to cross it to freedom.

The new exhibit will center around a section of the Berlin Wall already in the museum's collection. The guest speaker will be Gordon L. Rottman, author of The Berlin Wall and over seventy other titles on military subjects. Mr. Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces, and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969-70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol, and intelligence assignments until retiring after 26 years. He was a Special Operations Forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Center for 12 years and is now a freelance writer living in Texas.

Light refreshments will be served immediately following the exhibit's opening and Mr. Rottman will be available to sign copies of his books.  This exciting new exhibit was made possible through the generous support of the City of Newport News, Das Waldecafé, Marriott at City Center, Osprey Publishing, and the Virginia War Museum Foundation.  Included with regular admission.