Army Theme Park - would you go?
 

Here's the first paragraph from the Washington Post article:

Army officials say they are considering allowing a private developer to build a 125-acre entertainment, hotel and conference center complex next to a national Army museum at Fort Belvoir that could draw more than 1 million people a year to traffic-choked southern Fairfax County.

http://tinyurl.com/qsh5h

Would you visit this place? Personally, I would have NO interest whatsoever. It just seems like they are glamorizing the military and war by offering something like this.

How about a Peace Theme Park instead? THAT I would attend... ;)

Interesting. I have mixed emotions about it, but there are so many vets and current military families in this country (and using the proceeds for the museum instead of tax dollars) that it might be a good thing. It's only in the very early planning stages.

We are an active duty military family so I would have say that no, we probably wouldn't go. We already live that life daily. As a retired vet, probably. I think the idea behind it is good. It would just depend on how it is all pulled together.

On a side note, it would be a hard stretch to glamorize the military and war in general. I'll leave my comment at that since I am certain your intentions were not to start a debate!

Jetprincess - yes, I'm sure as an active military family, there is no glamorization in your world right now - sadly. (and no, I didn't post this to start a debate either.)

My comment about glamorizing was meant to be about how younger people (kids) view wars and the military in general. Please don't misunderstand that - I do not think the military is bad at all, only the wars they fight in. I would hate to have this theme park spawn a generation of kids who think guns and wars are a good thing. I hope my comments are not misunderstood.

This idea was squashed. It will not happen.

I am a VietNam "error" veteran who put in 6 years USN and really hated it.

But I would go, and take others with me. Why? So they might better appreciate the cushy life they enjoy, have a bit more empathy for what their military put up with, and to get an understanding the freedom is not free.

Before anyone paints me as some flag-waver, I am also AGAINST proposals to "protect" the flag. While that act is disgusting, so is the erosion of freedoms. Exposure to unpopular and disgusting acts is part of the costs of a free (and peaceful) society.

Well said, rb.

Travel addict~ well said! I completely agree!

Only if my other choice was actually joining the army.

I know the idea's dead. And that's a shame. I'd visit it in a heartbeat.

It was torpedoed because of its potential impact on traffic in the area.

Glad it was torpedoed, for whatever reason. A "Florida developer?" That could be anyone from Roy Disney to Donald Trump and everyone in-between, like the good people who brought us the scale model of the Holy Land. There's no telling what "Army World" would look like after they re-interpreted it for tourists. :(

travel addict

I think you will find that no one in the Military wants to or desires to go into a wartime situation. In addition the Military does not start wars either, its the civilians that do that.

Thank you, Red Rock.

Well I am just dissapointed that the first C-17 that arrived at our Travis AFB yesterday didn't fly over where I live, it flew in from the S/W. It is named the Spirit of Solano in honor of our county. No one likes wars, I sure don't, the thought of wars make me sick. But I sure support our military, I always have and I always will. And a few bad "eggs" here and there in the military does not take away from the 99.9% of our great military people.

As always, well said, LoveItaly.

OH, well thank you SpeedBuggy, actually I thought I would get blasted!

It makes me sick with what is going on in our world today. I hate war, I even hate arguments.

But I so respect and care about our military people. I come from a long line of military people, as did my late husband. And I feel for all the military in our area..Travis AFB is just a few miles south of where I live. And the dear families that sacrifice so much while their husbands, sons, brothers, fathers and other loved ones are oversees and not with their families.

Oh, don't get me started, I could get teary. I see these military families around me every day. There is no way I could every thank any person who has sacrificed to give me the life I have always been blessed with. I guess being a little girl during WWII I have a feeling of gratitude that can never be properly expressed. And my father certainly talked to me about all the sacrifices strong and noble Americans have made to secure our future.

Politicians are one thing..our American heros are another whole different story IMO.

You are a true lady.

When I saw the post I got all excited! My 15 year old son would just love an army theme park. His idea of heaven. Not mine of course but he just loves anything military. Maybe it is just the age... however his current career aspiration is to become a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, so maybe not. Can't wait for that one, particularly as he is my only son. Boo hoo.