‘The highest privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one's country.’
-General George S. Patton Jr.
Next time you're on I-10 east or west near Indio, California, watch for those light-brown road signs noting a point of tourist interest ahead. One is for the General Patton Memorial Museum; if you have the time, stop off at exit 173, Chiriaco Summit, once part of the Desert Training Center in World War II. Eight decades ago what happened here helped in the battle to save freedom and democracy.
About 28 miles east of Coachella and Indio, you can fill up on gasoline, snacks, pop and history at the exit area, anchored by the 501-C-3 nonprofit museum, which celebrates the achievements of the great general and his men. Here you can see more than 50 vehicles as well as artifacts, weapons, letters and other material from World War II, the Korean War, Viet Nam and later.
Every November 11, we remember the sacrifices our veterans have made throughout U.S. history. The most recent numbers document a population of 19,162,515, about 10.7% female, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Living World War II veterans total 240,329; 234 are dying each day.
