WWII HALFTRACK EXPERIENCE
Location: The Museum of American Armor, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, NY
Dates: March 17th / March 31st
Time: Four Timeslots each Sunday - 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM
- Rides will be provided on a first come first serve basis. There will be no pre-registration.
- $20 per person donation which also includes access to the museum as well
- Payment and waivers will be signed day of ride.
- Accepted forms of payment will be cash or credit/debit card.
- Rides are weather permitting. Active rain or snowfall will cancel that days ride schedule.
- Riders are reminded to dress appropriately for the weather.
Rare British WWII tank joins the ranks at The Museum of American Armor
(Old Bethpage, New York) - As part of his continuing mission to explore and
present the legacies of World War II, The Museum of American Armor has
acquired an operational British Comet tank that confronted Nazi panzers
during the closing months of that conflict.
(Old Bethpage, New York) - As part of his continuing mission to explore and
present the legacies of World War II, The Museum of American Armor has
acquired an operational British Comet tank that confronted Nazi panzers
during the closing months of that conflict.
The Comet joins a half dozen other British armor vehicles the Armor
Museum displays to underscore the powerful alliance that was crucial in
defeating the Third Reich.
Museum displays to underscore the powerful alliance that was crucial in
defeating the Third Reich.
“Our name is `The Museum of American Armor’ but we seek to
create an educational environment that tells a broader story, and this
acquisition allows us to do exactly that,” stated museum trustee Colonel
Jason Halloren (Ret.).
Kevin Carroll, the Armor Museum’s director of community affairs,
explained, “As the Axis powers made major strides with thicker armor, more
powerful guns and high mobility during World War II, the Allied nations
needed to counter those improvements.
explained, “As the Axis powers made major strides with thicker armor, more
powerful guns and high mobility during World War II, the Allied nations
needed to counter those improvements.
“For Great Britain, the solution was to take two different designs and
meld them into a new British tank to be named the A34 Comet. With thicker
armor and a lower overall profile, the Comet afforded better protection for
its five-man crew. Its V-12, 600 horsepower Rolls Royce engine easily
propelled the 39-ton tank to a top speed of 35 MPH. But the biggest
meld them into a new British tank to be named the A34 Comet. With thicker
armor and a lower overall profile, the Comet afforded better protection for
its five-man crew. Its V-12, 600 horsepower Rolls Royce engine easily
propelled the 39-ton tank to a top speed of 35 MPH. But the biggest
improvement of the Comet was its main armament, a new high-velocity
gun.”
gun.”
Considered Britain’s best tank of WW II, the A34 Comet saw combat
in Europe from January to May of 1945. Approximately 1,200 Comets were
built, and they soldiered on with the British Army until 1958. Comets later
served with such diverse nations as South Africa, Finland, and Cuba. The
Museum’s Comet bears the markings of “Celerity”, a tank of the British
11th Armored Division.
in Europe from January to May of 1945. Approximately 1,200 Comets were
built, and they soldiered on with the British Army until 1958. Comets later
served with such diverse nations as South Africa, Finland, and Cuba. The
Museum’s Comet bears the markings of “Celerity”, a tank of the British
11th Armored Division.
The Armor Museum’s Comet was credited with destroying a Tiger I
tank in Essel, Germany, in April of 1945. Other British armor vehicles of the period on display at the Armor
Museum include a Staghound, Dingo, Sexton, and an American lend lease
tank called The Lee. The Museum of American Armor is the 2024 recipient of a national
award that recognized the museum's educational outreach programs for
Long Island students and continues to host educational forums that explore
America's military legacy.
tank in Essel, Germany, in April of 1945. Other British armor vehicles of the period on display at the Armor
Museum include a Staghound, Dingo, Sexton, and an American lend lease
tank called The Lee. The Museum of American Armor is the 2024 recipient of a national
award that recognized the museum's educational outreach programs for
Long Island students and continues to host educational forums that explore
America's military legacy.
Opened in 2014, the Museum of American Armor, 1303 Round
Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, has over 50 armor vehicles housed in 25,000
square feet of space, as well numerous displays inside and beside its
building. Open Wednesday, Friday through Sunday between 11 a.m. and
3:00 p.m., it is handicapped accessible, and donations are requested at the
door.
Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, has over 50 armor vehicles housed in 25,000
square feet of space, as well numerous displays inside and beside its
building. Open Wednesday, Friday through Sunday between 11 a.m. and
3:00 p.m., it is handicapped accessible, and donations are requested at the
door.
It offers public presentations in coordination with the Nassau County
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Museums through the administration
of Nassau County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman.
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Museums through the administration
of Nassau County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman.
Business leader Eric Blumencranz joins the team guiding the future of The Museum of American Armor
Eric Blumencranz has been named an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees at the Museum of American Armor where a collection of over fifty operational armor vehicles pays tribute to the courage and valor of those who have defended our freedoms.
“With Eric’s appointment, our Armor Museum’s efforts continue to grow from strength to strength, reflecting our shared commitment to our mission of educating a new generation of Americans as to the sacrifice of those who came before them,” stated Lawrence Kadish, president and founder of the Armor Museum.
“I am honored to be part of a museum that has become a regional, national, and international destination for visitors who find an immersive experience of a conflict that continues to define our world,” stated Blumencranz. “We have a responsibility to tell that story as it was an era when freedom hung in the balance, saved by young adults who would become our parents and grandparents.”
An attorney, Mr. Blumencranz is a managing director at NFP, an Aon company, a global firm with a strong Long Island presence. A business management consulting firm, its areas of expertise include insurance, benefits, and wealth management. He is a past recipient of the “Person of the Year” by the Nassau County Law Enforcement Program, reflecting his sustained support of our local police departments. He is a graduate of the George Washington University School of Business and received his J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he concentrated on Estate and Tax Planning, Employee Benefits and Business Perpetuation Planning. Eric is Chair of the Nassau County Police Department Foundation, Vice Chair of Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro, a member of the Nassau County Law Enforcement Explorers board, and member of the Board of Advisors of Northwell Health System.
Colonel Jason Halloren (ret.), past deputy commandant at West Point and an Armor Museum trustee observed, “Eric brings to his role a shared passion for telling the story of America’s military heritage. He also recognizes that more than anything else, the Museum of American Armor is a crucial educational resource at a time when the teaching of history is being reduced in assigned class time.”
BIG NEWS!
Former West Point Deputy Commandant joins the board of The Museum of American Armor
Commack resident brings insight, experience, and vision to the Board.
Jason Halloren, former Deputy Commandant of the United States Military Academy at West Point, and a Commack resident, has been nominated to the board of The Museum of American Armor, whose extensive collection of historic military vehicles pays tribute to those Americans who have served to protect our freedoms.
“Mr. Halloren’s extraordinary military credentials, coupled with his passion for preserving our nation’s heritage, make him an important part of the Armor Museum’s future,” stated Lawrence Kadish, president and founder of the museum.
“The Museum of American Armor is a national treasure,” Mr. Halloren said. “Its collection of operational armor breathes life into every history lesson that instructs visitors on the courage, sacrifice, and valor of those who have worn our nation’s military uniform. I am truly honored to be welcomed to its board and to provide whatever assistance I can to ensure its future remains as vibrant and innovative as the past ten years since it first opened its doors.”
During his tour as Deputy Commandant at West Point, Mr. Halloren’s responsibilities were centered on the character and leadership development training of over 4400 cadets, future officers of the U.S. Army. He was also involved in meeting the academy’s various infrastructure needs, staffing, and fiscal responsibilities.
Michael D. Sapraicone, the Armor Museum’s Senior Trustee, stated, “We are honored and fortunate to have Jason join the Armor Museum’s board. He brings a wealth of experience in many of the key operational aspects of our institution as well as his recognition that, at the end of the day, we are an important educational destination for thousands of students across the region.”
Prior to his role at West Point, Mr. Halloren was Chief Executive Officer (Brigade Commander), 5th ROTC Brigade, United States Army Cadet Command (USACC) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
PRESENTING "FDR" AS LIVING HISTORY
