July at the Museum
Celebrate our Independence and the freedoms provided by our military Veterans and service members throughout the month. We invite you to explore Veteran hiring initiatives and the impact of pets on the Veteran community and our mental health during the Third Annual Pets and Vets Week!
The NVMM building is closed July 3-4, however, there are plenty of great Veteran stories to explore online over the holiday.
EXHIBITIONS
Paint and Sip
Thursday, July 27 | 6:30 p.m.
Paint the Columbus skyline with your friends all while enjoying an adult beverage. This special paint + sip event will be led by Kristin Cronic, U.S. Navy Veteran, and the artist behind our newest exhibition, A Midshipman’s Journey.
Ages 18 and older only. Art supplies, alcoholic (beer and wine), non-alcoholic (soft drinks and water) beverages and snacks are provided.
EXHIBITIONS
Family Art Class
Friday, July 28 | 10:30 a.m.
Bring the whole family downtown for a hands-on art program led by Kristin Cronic, U.S. Navy Veteran, and the artist behind A Midshipman’s Journey. During the class, each child will be asked to create a series of drawings that tell the story of their school year!
Art supplies will be provided.
PREVIOUS EVENTS THIS MONTH
RALLY POINT
Hiring Veterans: Evolution, Impact and Opportunity
Saturday, July 1 | 11 a.m. | Virtual
As an employer, hiring a Veteran can not only benefit your company but also help support those who have served our country. Eric Eversole, U.S. Navy Veteran, Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and President of Hiring Our Heroes, joins us to share how Hiring Our Heroes empowers tens of thousands of Veterans, military spouses and transitioning service members to find meaningful employment opportunities each year.
Bank of America Cardholder Weekend
Saturday, July 1 – Sunday, July 2 | Free
Calling all Bank of America account and cardholders. Visit the Museum for free during the first weekend of each month when you present your Bank of America card to our Welcome Desk!
Free Library Days
Thursday, July 13 – Saturday, July 15 | Free
As a community partner of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, we’re celebrating their 150th anniversary by offering free admission to the Museum when you show your library card. This month, we have programming in recognition of the 75th Anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act. This act, signed by President Truman on June 12, 1948 allowed women to permanently serve in the regular armed forces.
PETS & VETS
From service animals to household companions, our pets are so much more than an animal. Our Third Annual Pets and Vets Week, July 13-15, 2023, connects you to resources and animals that are shown to improve quality of life. Explore your options through demonstrations, educational engagements and more! This 3-day event and all accompanying breakout sessions are free and open to the public.
Ambassador Animals with the Columbus Zoo
Thursday, Jul 13 | 12 p.m.
Connect with wildlife as you enjoy up-close interactions with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Ambassador Animals! Enjoy a fun and meaningful experience with a member of the Ambassador Animal team and learn how they raise awareness for the animals they care for every day.
Benefits of Beekeeping with the Central Ohio Beekeepers Association
Thursday, July 13 | 1:30 p.m.
Buzz buzz! From fruit to potatoes, honeybees pollinate $15 billion worth of crops in the United States each year. Learn from the Central Ohio Beekeepers Association about the important elements of beekeeping, its impact on our biodiversity, and how you can improve pollinator habitats.
Yoga with Buckeye Paws Therapy Dogs
Friday, July 14 | 11 a.m.
Stay calm with the help of our furry friends in our first-ever Pets and Vets guided yoga session. Buckeye Paws Therapy Dogs, an innovative animal-assisted therapy program launched by The OSU Wexner Medical Center, joins for to share how man’s best friend and yoga can be a powerful combination to help relieve stress, build resilience and maintain optimal fitness.
Urban Wildlife with the Ohio Canid Center
Friday, July 14 | 12 p.m.
Explore wildlife conservation with the Ohio Canid Center and their Ambassador Animals. Learn about what makes wild canine species uniquely able to adapt to urban environments and how we can safely cohabitate with them.
Treat Making with Growler’s Dog Bones
Friday, July 14 | 1:30 p.m.
Learn how Growlers Dog Bones is serving man and man’s best friend. In this hands-on session, the Growler’s team walks us through how they make their natural recipes as well as impact lives by serving individuals with disabilities.
Basic K9 Obedience Training with MALTAC K9
Saturday, July 15 | 12 p.m.
Join Sean, a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, from MALTAC K9 at the Museum for a free Basic Dog Obedience lesson. Learn how to teach your dog basic commands and maintain mutual connection and understanding safely and effectively. This session is for humans only – only service animals are permitted!
Service Animals with Black Paw Canine
Saturday, July 15 | 2 p.m.
Wanna learn all there is to learn about service animals? Join Black Paw Canine for a crash course in service animals, their benefits and how they train these highly intelligent K9s in an informational and educational session with a Q&A.
Community Blood Drive
Tuesday, July 18 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
As a donor at this event, you will receive two (2) FREE admission tickets to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, while supplies last. You can make a difference. To schedule your donation appointment: Visit the link below, refine your search using the proper zip code (43215) and date (7/18) and select the appointment that fits your schedule!
RESILIENCE AND WELLNESS
Women’s Only Jiu Jitsu Open Mat
Sunday, July 23 | 11 a.m. | Free
Join us at the Museum for our first Women’s Only Jiu Jitsu Open Mat class. This class is open to all women interested in participating in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class that focuses on self-defense and preparedness.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Mark Cooper, Associate Director of Advancement
Meet Mark Cooper, our Associate Director of Advancement! Mark recently joined the team and has quickly become a staff-favorite MC. Having come from a military family, he shares his unique perspective on what it’s like to work at the NVMM.
RALLY POINT
Hiring Veterans: Evolution, Impact and Opportunity
With 8.8 million Veterans currently employed in the U.S. and another 200,000+ service members transitioning annually, we’re shining a light on why it’s important to hire from this highly engaged pool of talent.
Eric Eversole, U.S. Navy Veteran, Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and President of Hiring Our Heroes, joined us to share how Hiring Our Heroes empowers tens of thousands of Veterans, military spouses and transitioning service members to find meaningful employment opportunities each year.
INSPIRING STORIES OF SERVICE
Charlie Plumb and Tom Moe
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the last U.S. combat troops departing Vietnam and repatriation of our remaining Prisoners of War (POWs), we delve into the Inspiring Stories of Service of Captain Charlie Plumb, U.S. Navy (Retired) and Colonel Tom Moe, U.S. Air Force (Retired). Listen to their personal accounts of service and survival as POWs.
VETREPRENEUR SPOTLIGHT
Easel On Stribling
For this month’s Vetrepreneur Spotlight, we sat down with Kristin Cronic, U.S. Navy Veteran and artist behind our newest exhibition, A Midshipman’s Journey. She shared what inspired her artistic journey and how Easel On Stribling connects you to the Naval Academy story through painting.
#NVMMREADS
“Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and His Service”
To deepen our understanding of the positive impact service animals can provide, we are reading “Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and His Service Dog.” Written by a 17-year Veteran of the U.S. Army, Captain Luis Carlos Montalván details the strong bond between a Soldier and his service dog. Read more about this book in our review.
FEATURED COLLECTION
A Midshipman’s Journey
Shop our collection of merchandise supporting our newest exhibition by artist and U.S. Navy Veteran Kristin Cronic, A Midshipman’s Journey. This collection includes a special coffee table books, limited-edition prints, a coloring book and more!
Summer Salute to Service Artwork Contest
Last day for Submissions: July 31
Artistic expression is often used by Veterans and non-Veterans alike to process thoughts and feelings and share a personal narrative. We want you to share your connection to the Veteran experience through your own artwork. Think: What is my connection to the Veteran experience?
In collaboration with the Delaware County Veterans Service Office (Ohio), we are requesting submissions for two-dimensional (2-D) art from all ages in four categories.
