Announcing closings seems to be a recurring theme of late, with several longstanding entities throwing in the towel for one reason or another. We learned late last week that the Zephyrhills Museum of Military History in Zephyrhills, Florida, which also goes by the name WWII Armor, plans on closing up shop later this year, although no reason was provided in their online post. For those of you unfamiliar with the Museum they are just a stone’s throw away from us and regularly host events including reenactments on their premises and around the country. We’re sorry to see them call it a day and decided that it made sense to post their final words here rather than try to encapsulate their thoughts, feeling and emotion.
“Now hear this!
It is with a mix of sadness and pride that we announce the closing of WW2 Armor.
Our final two events will be the Morgan County Fair in Jacksonville, IL on 08 JUL, and the Westgate Veterans and Gold Star Families event on 05 DEC. We will cease operations this coming December, 2026.
Following a strategic review by Rabbi Rob and his wife, it was determined that the mission of the organization has reached its apex. A necessary priority shift to focus on the needs of family means that Rabbi Rob and his wife can no longer dedicate the considerable time required to maintain WW2 Armor. By initiating a considered, thoughtful, strategic draw-down now, we can ensure the long-term preservation of the pieces in the collection.
WW2 Armor has much about which to be proud. Over the last 10 years, we restored numerous vehicles and weapons platforms, and conducted wide-ranging research. We published what we learned, and showcased our mistakes so that all could benefit from the wisdom thus begotten. We have attended events both large and small in several states, running and gunning wherever we went. Since we began tracking our activities in 2019, we have conducted 42 training events and 31 public events, and our staff and volunteers have contributed well over 26,000 event man hours, and more then 13,000 training man hours towards the success of our mission. While we never measured it accurately, we do believe we created at least that many smiles on the faces of those who saw our salute firing and mock battles.
To all of our amazing staff members, thank you for your dedication and tenacity. You took on projects that seemed impossible, and overcame all of the many challenges, pulling off miracles that would make any WWII mechanic proud. You did so with positivity, laughter, and skill. Your continued devotion is a testament to your character.
To all of our volunteers, thank you for the years of fun and focus. You gave the most precious gift, the gift of your time. You attended training and public events in all types of weather and in locations throughout the U.S. You were always professional, safe, and respectful. With our full-time staff you are truly elite, and a band of brothers in the truest sense. What we have done is unique in the world and our efforts have touched the lives of countless individuals everywhere.
To all of our fellow reenactors and vehicle owners, thank you for rolling with us. You attended our training events to ensure safe and authentic operations, and brought your teams and talents to take every public event from good to great. You partnered with us brilliantly, adding a critical dimension of humanity to our battlefields, proving the value of teamwork, and forging great friendships as well.
To our many event partners; vehicle clubs, museums, vendors and contractors, thank you for the opportunity to work with you in our mutual mission to educate the public. It has been a journey of learning for us all, made easier by learning together. You have consistently delivered on short-notice, and gone above and beyond. It isn’t easy to source parts for a 80+ year-old tank, all vehicles are breaking or broken, and it isn’t easy to provide a venue for the education of the masses, yet you’ve managed to help us do just that more times than can be counted. Well done.
To all of our community members, you have seen us grow, misstep, learn, improve, and achieve. You have supported us in all of those cases, and enriched us by sharing your stories and those of your family members. Through you we have met the riveter and the tanker, the singer and the sailor, and so many more. You’ve spread the research we published and thus ensured those stories would be more widely known and less likely to be lost. Your warm support energized us during those late nights and difficult projects. You were an inspiration, and we hope we’ve enriched your lives as much as you have lifted ours.
The planning for the disposition of the collection of weapons and vehicles is underway. The priority is to ensure that the collection, and especially the vehicles in the collection, go to equally well-capitalized owners who can appreciate the history, respect the legacy, and maintain the vehicles to the standard they richly deserve. Details about the disposition will be published in due course.
We will maintain our social media and website presence in perpetuity, and we who have served in WW2 Armor will remain linked by a special, indissoluble bond. We hope to keep up with many of you online.
Life consists of seasons of shifting priorities. Our final bit of advice to you is that you take the time to appreciate the blessings in your life, and spend as much time with family as you can. That time, no matter how long, will never be enough. We can’t necessarily make those moments longer or more frequent, but we can make every moment truly special.
Thank you, and may G-d richly bless you and yours!Please direct any and all inquiries to info@ww2armor.org. Questions posted here may not be seen quickly or at all, so email is the best way of reaching us.”