Nearly every conceivable space in the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives in Athens is filled with uniforms and medals, photographs and letters, weapons and war artifacts, stretching from the Revolutionary War to the present.

But the museum at 100 E. Pryor St. is bursting at the seams, and organizers are hoping to build an addition that will become the new main museum building. With more than 10,000 visitors last year, the veterans museum has become a vital part of Athens. It teaches the local public and visitors from across the United States and other countries about wars waged, conflicts fought and sacrifices made.

In an effort to honor local veterans and raise money for the new museum, the Athens-Limestone Association of Realtors will host a dinner fundraiser called “A Night to Celebrate.”

The event is 6:30–10 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at Limestone County Event Center in Athens. Comic magician Denny Corby will perform. Food and drinks will be served, followed by a tribute to veterans and other activities.

Tickets, which are going fast, are $55 per person or $100 for two. They can be purchased at the veterans museum, Eastside Pharmacy, Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce. They can also be purchased by calling Event Chairwoman Amanda Coffman of Remax Unlimited at 256-777-4212.

“The Athens-Limestone Association of Realtors is excited about our fundraiser,” Coffman said. “We take pride in giving back to the community through volunteering and a dedicated commitment to service and leadership. We are hoping this event will bring our community together to help us honor our men and women in the military.”

Although ticket sales have been good, more help is needed, Coffman said.

“We are really needing some more donations and sponsors and we really want it to be a community thing that everyone is involved in,” she said. “We want to come together as a community. Some businesses have already bought tickets and donated them back to veterans.”

The night

Coffman said cocktail hour will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a sit-down dinner of steak or chicken from 7 to 8 p.m. Then, veteran and local historian Jerry Barksdale will talk about the growth of Limestone County and how the veterans museum has changed over the years, she said.

Corby will perform from 8 to 9 p.m., followed by a tribute to veterans from 9 to 10 p.m.

Sid Pugh, 2018 president of the Alabama Association of Realtors, will talk about his time as a veteran, his father’s World War II experience in the same unit and him receiving two Purple Hearts, Coffman said.

“He and Vietnam War veteran Claude Jones previously recorded a short video of their war stories,” she said. “We also have a few spots left for pictures that will be added to a video honoring our veterans.”

Coffman said pictures can be donated by calling 256-777-4212 or emailing amandacoffman2@gmail.com.

Also during the evening, officials will announce K–12 art contest winners, which will be based on online voting.

“We selected 11 finalists from grades K–12, and the winning artwork will be displayed in the new museum,” Coffman said.

The public can vote for $5 per vote by visiting https://my.360photocontest.com/alabamaveteranmuseum.

A silent auction will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m.