Press Releases
"The Army Heritage Center Foundation is proud to announce that Emmy award winning actor and U.S. Army veteran Dennis Franz will serve as Honorary Chairman of the foundation's $20 million campaign to continue development of the Army Heritage and Education Center (AHEC) at Carlisle Barracks, one of the Army's most historic posts.
'As an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, I witnessed the sacrifices of Soldiers firsthand and take great pride in having served among their ranks,' said Franz. 'It is with equal pride that I have agreed to serve as Honorary Chairman for the campaign to build the world's premier center to honor and interpret the history of the Army as told through the collected memories of its veterans.'
The AHEC was founded in 1999 to bring together for the first time in one national location the letters, diaries, artifacts, and photographs of Soldiers from pre-colonial America to the present with other historical Army documents that will illuminate the heritage of the Army by telling its story - one Soldier at a time! 'Our Soldiers deserve to be recognized, their memories need to be preserved, and their achievements and sacrifices must be told,' said foundation president retired Brigadier General Joe McCarthy. 'This Center will combine a state-of-the-art archival research facility with a world-class museum, conservation center, outdoor heritage trail, and visitor education center.'
Land for the AHEC was donated to the Army by the citizens of Cumberland County, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has generously committed $10 million to help construct the campus. The Army will staff, operate, and maintain the Center, and has already constructed the Military History Institute and Army Heritage Trail. 'The Trail combines actual artifacts with reconstructed buildings from the Army's past,' said AHEC director Colonel Rob Dalessandro. 'It is a superb venue where living historians bring the Army's history to life for the thousands of students, educators, and tourists who are visiting the AHEC campus.'
The Army Heritage Center Foundation is rounding out this public-private partnership by raising funds to build two key AHEC facilities, the Army Heritage Museum and the Visitor & Education Center. 'We ar honored that Dennis Franz has agreed to join us in this important endeavor,' said McCarthy. 'As an Army combat veteran and one of America's most distinguished actors who has spoken eloquently about the role of Soldiers in defending our country, Mr. Franz was our first choice to lead this effort. His participation will be invaluable and we deeply appreciate his commitment.'"