Dennis Brant Video

What happens when you throw out the "do not touch" rule and build a living history destination? In this episode of Coming Home Well, host Tyler Buron sits down with Dennis Brandt, CEO of the Americans in Wartime Experience (AWE). Discover how this massive 70+ acre experiential project in Virginia (coming soon near I-95 and Quantico) is redefining how we honor our military veterans, first responders, and home front heroes. From an unrivaled collection of over 150 operational tanks and military vehicles to immersive WWI-to-modern "Landscapes of War", powerful 9/11 artifacts, and the Voices of Freedom oral history project, this is a must-watch for history buffs, veterans, and families alike. 🔗 Official Website & Links: Visit the AWE Website: https://americansinwartime.org Explore the Voices of Freedom Archives: https://americansinwartime.org/explore Learn more about Coming Home Well: https://cominghomewell.com Timestamps / Key Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction: What is the Americans in Wartime Experience? 1:30 – A "Military Disney World": Why Operating Tanks and a "Please Touch" Policy Matter 6:30 – Designing History: Recreating Authentic WWI Trenches and Combat Landscapes 11:00 – Preserving 9/11 History: Recovered Firetrucks, EMT Vehicles, and Steel Beams 16:30 – Supporting Veterans: Community Outreach and Creating a "Third Space" 22:00 – The Origin Story: How Alan Coors Started the Collection in Virginia 27:00 – Looking Ahead to 2028: Location, Expansion, and the Road Map 33:00 – Voices of Freedom: Recording Thousands of Veteran Stories for the National Archives Check out our partners Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More (New Braunfels, TX): bigfrognb.com V2M Veteran Magazine at v2mag.com