Building a museum that matches the quality of our soldiers and their sacrifices and contributions constitutes a monumental effort. We are quite proud that we keep our operating costs below 5 percent, and we challenge other nonprofits to meet us on that goal.
Accountability for all our funds is critically important. We track all our funds through QuickBooks in a very diligent and deliberate effort to keep our operating costs low and to make sure our funds are used for appropriate purposes. It really works well for us.
The National Infantry Foundation (NIF) is responsible for the design and construction of a National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center located in Patriot Park, which is a 200 acre track of land adjoining Ft. Benning, GA with Columbus, GA. The purpose of this 86 million dollar project is to honor soldiers for their service and sacrifice in all of our Nation's wars over the past 232 years. This world-class facility will include a WWII company street with General Patton's original Headquarters and Sleeping Quarters, along with five other WWII vintage buildings to include a barracks, mess hall and chapel.
The 190,000 square foot main museum will contain six historical galleries, a fine dining restaurant, gift shop and a 3D IMAX theatre. Adjacent to the main museum will be a 7 acre parade field where 30 Soldiers will graduate each year. An estimated 500,000 visitors will watch loved ones graduate from basic training every Thursday and Friday each week. These visitors will create over 500 new jobs in the area and have a 50 million dollar annual economic impact.
We keep our constituents motivated by continuing to tell the story of soldiers who protect the freedoms each of us enjoy. When completed in Nov 2008, this facility will teach Americans that freedom is not free and that many citizens have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy.
Major General Jerry A. White (retired) was born in Raven Rock, West Virginia. Upon completion of the Reserve Officers Training Corps curriculum and the educational course of study at Marshall University, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg State College. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Armor Officer Advanced Course, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the United States Army War College. He has held a wide variety of key command and staff positions to include Commander of the United States Army Infantry Center, Fort Benning, Georgia; Commander of the 7th Infantry Division (Light), Fort Ord, California; Director of Operations, J-3, Forces Command, Atlanta, Georgia; Assistant Division Commander (Support), 7th Infantry Division (Light), Fort Ord, California; Commanding General, 2d Reserve Officer Training Corps Region, Fort Knox, Kentucky; Team Chief, National Military Command Center with the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, DC; and Chief of Staff and Commander, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
General White served in a variety of other important assignments to include Alaska where he commanded the 1st Battalion, 60th Infantry, and was area Commander of Special Troops; both assignments with the 172d Infantry Brigade (Alaska) at Fort Richardson. Following his return to the Continental United States and completion of the Army War College, he served as Regimental Tactical Officer for the 3d Regiment, Corps of Cadets, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. General White served two tours in Vietnam. He was with the 101st in 1966-67 and with the American Division in 1969.
Awards and decorations, which General White has received, include the Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Clusters), the Soldiers Medal, the Bronze Star with V Device (with Oak Leaf Clusters), and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He has also received the Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Clusters), several Air Medals with V Device, and the Army Commendation with V Device (with 2d Oak Leaf Cluster). General White has been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Army General Staff Identification Badge.
General White retired from the Army in November of 1994. After living six months in Virginia, he returned to Columbus as the President of United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley in March of 1995 where he served until June 2002. General White now serves as the President of the National Infantry Association, Chairman of the National Infantry Foundation and Chairman of the board for Vectronix, Inc in Leesburg, VA. He is a member of the Downtown Rotary Club and has served on many local boards and councils.
He is married to the former Linda Pickens. They have two children, son LTC Jerry A. White II, daughter Jane Ann Springett and four grandchildren.
