Money woes threaten to close Seattle Veterans Museum
»Play Video
SEATTLE -- For some, Veterans Day weekend is a time to honor. For others, it's a time to mourn.
And for one Seattleite, this weekend may be the saddest.
One day each year is set aside to honor those who served, at places like Tahoma National Cemetery. The president lays a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery.
Todd Crooks says it is not enough.
,
"It doesn't matter where your city is. It doesn't matter where the closest military base is. You are enjoying the freedoms that our veterans sacrificed for. You owe your freedom to those people," said Crooks.
Crooks says there should be more than names etched in cold marble.
"Each one of those names out there is a story that is bigger than that wall," Crooks said.
That's why 10 years ago, behind the wall, he created the of Seattle Veterans Museum. But it may have to close next week.
"We're out money," said Crooks.
What will Seattle lose? What the museum holds is not just mannequins, not just bayonets and ammunition and uniforms. It's not just pictures of those who died; it's history.
"When you come in here, you can see the faces, you can see the uniforms," said Crooks.
You can see all this on Veterans' Day, maybe for the last time.
Crooks doesn't want to think about it. Next Tuesday, he may have to move it all to his garage.
"I can't," he said. "I can't even talk about that. It's going to be tough. But it could happen, yes, sir.
Crooks says it costs about $10,000 a year to keep the nonprofit museum going. He has been looking for help and so far, has found none.
-----
If you want to help the museum, you can donate through our Problem Solvers page
And for one Seattleite, this weekend may be the saddest.
One day each year is set aside to honor those who served, at places like Tahoma National Cemetery. The president lays a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery.
Todd Crooks says it is not enough.
,
"It doesn't matter where your city is. It doesn't matter where the closest military base is. You are enjoying the freedoms that our veterans sacrificed for. You owe your freedom to those people," said Crooks.
Crooks says there should be more than names etched in cold marble.
"Each one of those names out there is a story that is bigger than that wall," Crooks said.
That's why 10 years ago, behind the wall, he created the of Seattle Veterans Museum. But it may have to close next week.
"We're out money," said Crooks.
What will Seattle lose? What the museum holds is not just mannequins, not just bayonets and ammunition and uniforms. It's not just pictures of those who died; it's history.
"When you come in here, you can see the faces, you can see the uniforms," said Crooks.
You can see all this on Veterans' Day, maybe for the last time.
Crooks doesn't want to think about it. Next Tuesday, he may have to move it all to his garage.
"I can't," he said. "I can't even talk about that. It's going to be tough. But it could happen, yes, sir.
Crooks says it costs about $10,000 a year to keep the nonprofit museum going. He has been looking for help and so far, has found none.
-----
If you want to help the museum, you can donate through our Problem Solvers page
At the very end of the news article there is a link to donate "----- If you want to help the museum, you can donate through our Problem Solvers page"
i didn't know this place existed. i can't help big, but i can contribute. where?
This museum is a small, warm historical 'surprise' to find among the towering concrete of the city, and well worth a visit ! Perhaps if some local school(s) were to include this small museum in part of their Veteran's Day remembrances the word would get out to parents, and proud families of Veterans and they could get more support.  Perhaps in conjunction with the library an awareness program can be launched.  A crowd source fund raising event might even be successful.  Thank you for letting the community know Komo, now, please tell us how we can help even if we don't happen to get to the city very often.  Thanks !
Is there a private fund that individuals can contribute to for the museum? I live too far away to drop off a check, but it would only take a few thousand people to come with $10 to help.
And yet we pay 1% for bad art
This is sad. Seattle is too rich to let this go for so little.
Wouldn't it be great if Bill Gates or Paul Allen stepped up to help him out. This is chump change for those men.
How do we help?