Relive 150 years of military history and touch the lives of local heroes and unknown enemies. The Louisiana Military Museum in Ruston, Louisiana is the newest addition to the Secretary of State's museums division. It contains a collection unique to this area, the museum chronicles our conflicts from the Spanish American War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and today's war on terror.

The most voluminous part of the collection is, of course, weapons, from swords and muskets to heavy machine guns. Artillery pieces are displayed on the grounds. All weapons are deactivated for safety.

The human story, however, is the best told through diaries, Bibles, medals, and kits of personal items. A young man donated his father's flight jacket; it was the only item that was returned when the pilot was reported lost in Vietnam. The enemy's human dimension is also evident, for example, through a German mother's medal awarded to her for bearing many sons for the fatherland.

Commentators have said of the museum," . . . (it is) equal to any I have ever visited" and "it honors heroes in our midst," and "this is a must-see attraction for anyone passing through north Louisiana."