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Norfolk, Virginia (November 2, 2016) This was the last stop on our Canada-New England cruise, and I was on my own as Debra opted to relax onboard the Caribbean Princess. Me? I love to learn about the military, so I went on a “military” excursion – a drive-through of Norfolk Naval Shipyard and a self-guided tour of the MacArthur Memorial Museum. The former was underwhelming, but the museum was outstanding!
Douglas MacArthur (1880 – 1964), a five-star general who commanded the Southwest Pacific Theatre in WW2 and led the United Nations forces in the Korean War, has been described as larger-than-life, outspoken, egotistical, and controversial. The facts speak for themselves, I guess, but he was also a hero and revered by many. The museum, housed in the former Norfolk City Hall building, covered the General’s life and career in 9 exhibits on 2 floors. I saw MacArthur’s staff car, weapons, leather jacket, medals, and more. MacArthur and his wife Jean were laid to rest in the Rotunda, surrounded by a display of battle flags and excerpts from speeches. The memorial museum brought the General to life, and for me was the highlight of my day in Norfolk! |
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