Another FREE opportunity (for VETS) at the National Constitution Center

Veterans get a second chance to check out a new exhibit- for FREE- at the National Consititution Center in Sept. See below:
NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER TO TRANSFORM INTO  1940s USO CANTEEN DURING OPENING WEEKEND OF ART OF THE AMERICAN SOLDIER
Includes FREE admission for veterans

Philadelphia, PA (September 7, 2010) – To celebrate the world debut of the Art of the American Soldier exhibition, visitors are invited to enjoy special opening weekend events at the National Constitution Center from Friday, September 24 through Sunday, September 26, 2010, as the Center’s Grand Hall Lobby is transformed into a 1940s USO canteen. In honor of our nation’s service men and women, admission will be FREE for veterans during opening weekend. (Admission is free at all times for active military personnel and career military retirees.)
   On Friday, September 24 at 10:00 a.m., a ribbon-cutting ceremony with National Constitution Center President and CEO David Eisner will mark the official opening of the exhibition to the public. The Center’s donkey and elephant mascots, who will be dressed in military attire, will also participate in the event. Following the ribbon-cutting, visitors of all ages will be transported to a 1940s USO canteen, featuring World War II era décor, music, dancing, and photo opportunities. The USO’s singing troupe, the Liberty Bells, will perform period favorites and patriotic music, including a medley of military songs. Guests can learn about the experiences of American soldiers during different time periods during the special interactive program In the Army Now, as well as participate in an Army Protocol Workshop that teaches military etiquette, including the proper way to salute and wear a uniform. Children are invited make World War II era crafts, such as model airplanes, playing cards, and victory gardens, to learn about the different ways children helped the war effort from the home front. The Center will also pay tribute to the work of the United Services Organization, which has a proud history of serving our nation’s Armed Forces.
   On Sunday, September 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., veterans, active military personnel, and career military retirees are invited to an exclusive viewing of the Art of the American Soldier exhibition before the Center opens to the public.
   Created by the National Constitution Center in conjunction with the U.S. Army Center of Military History and the National Museum of the United States Army, Art of the American Soldier unveils powerful works of art created by American soldiers in the line of duty. Drawn from the Army’s rarely seen collection of over 15,000 paintings and sketches, the exhibition showcases the artistic response of soldiers from World War I through the present day. The unprecedented exhibition will make its world debut at the Center from September 24, 2010 through January 10, 2011.
  Admission to Art of the American Soldier is FREE with regular museum admission of $12 for adults, $11 for seniors ages 65 and over, and $8 for children ages 4-12. Veterans and military families will receive $2 off admission. Active military personnel, career military retirees, and children ages 3 and under are free. Group rates are also available. iPod audio tours cost an additional $5. The Art of the American Soldier iPod tour has been generously underwritten by Team Clean, Inc. For ticket information, call 215.409.6700 or visit www.constitutioncenter.org.
  The Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company and The Coca-Cola Company are the presenting local sponsors for the Art of the American Soldier exhibition at the National Constitution Center.
   CBS 3 and The CW Philly are the official media partners of Art of the American Soldier. CBS 3 (KYW-TV) and The CW Philly 57 (WPSG-TV) are part of CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corporation.
   Army art is furnished courtesy of the Department of the Army, Center of Military History. Sponsorship of this exhibition does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army of the sponsor's products or services.
   The National Constitution Center, located at 525 Arch St. on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the ideas and values it represents. The Center serves as a museum, an education center, and a forum for debate on constitutional issues. The museum dramatically tells the story of the Constitution from Revolutionary times to the present through more than 100 interactive, multimedia exhibits, film, photographs, text, sculpture and artifacts, and features a powerful, award-winning theatrical performance, “Freedom Rising.” The Center also houses the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, which serves as the hub for national constitutional education. Also, as a nonpartisan forum for constitutional discourse, the Center presents – without endorsement – programs that contain diverse viewpoints on a broad range of issues. For more information, call 215.409.6700 or visit www.constitutioncenter.org.