An Arkansan is exploring a WWII Heritage Trail in their state. Recently, Ms. Rachel Ball, a volunteer at the Jacksonville Museum of Military History in Jacksonville, Arkansas, reached out to our Executive Committee for advice. She came across the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail on Facebook and from following several military museums in Georgia. She stated, “I love the idea of creating a trail of museums that tie into the state and World War II history.” Like Georgia, Arkansas has multiple ties to our Nation’s WWII legacy. These include flight training bases and airfields, Prisoner of War camps, Japanese Internment camps, ordnance proving grounds, and ordnance plants that made war munitions.

Our best advice was first to find a group of like-minded organizations and people. Work with the state tourism agency, Direct Marketing Organizations, and local Chambers of Commerce. Don’t get discouraged. As we have heard, “If Trails were easy, everyone would have one.” The Trail is about preserving and sharing the stories of the Greatest Generation’s service and sacrifices for our freedom. We look forward to seeing an Arkansas WWII Heritage Trail. In the meantime, we hope to see you on the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail.