History you can touch

STUART, FL--Tucked away on a side street in Stuart, is the Road to Victory Military Museum. The building is filled to the brim with history.

And we house artifacts from World War One up until present day, Afghanistan and Iraq war," said Michael Roberts, museum board president.

Artifacts that most people have only seen in movies are housed in the building.

"Private collection, some of it's on loan, some of it is donated directly to the museum," said Roberts.

No matter where it comes from, each item reminds visitors of another time and struggle that the United States has had to overcome.

"In World War Two, those guys went over there and they didn't come home until it was done," said Chip Gray, Infantry Officer and Museum Volunteer.

One thing that's really different about the Road To Victory Military Museum is that you can be really hands-on.

"You can actually come here and you can pick up the weapons that the guys used in World War Two.  You can put on the parachute that they used to jump on D-day, and you can see the same stuff that the Germans were using against us," said Gray.

And for many, it's a chance to reconnect with stories told to them by their fathers and grandfathers.

"You can pick up the rifle and know that this is a rifle that they used to keep the United States free," said Roberts.

With reenactments and education the museum caters to the old and young alike.

"And it really gives kids an idea about how much different and how much more advanced the equipment is," said Gray.

But the goal is the same regardless of age.

"Pride is exactly what we want you to leave here with.  The United States should be and is proud of the history of the United States military," said Roberts.