History coming alive this weekend in honor of military

With Memorial Day weekend just around the corner, one local park is bringing decades of military history to life.

The Discovery Park of America is hosting their 2nd Annual Military Living History Days on their great lawn.

Last year they featured World War I, but this year they are adding decades to the unique exhibit.

“This year we wanted to expand it a little bit to honor veterans of other conflicts as well, we will be looking at World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War and the Gulf War,” Assistant Director of Education Chris Gunlefinger said.

Park leaders said they want to encourage the community to ‘bunker down’ and take advantage of the knowledge right at their fingertips.

“If we don’t take the time now, especially with those older generations, to spend some time with them and learn from their experiences, that history is going to be lost,” Gunlefinger said.

Also this weekend at DPA, kids are gonna be able to get a jump start on college on 5/29. Admission for them is $5.29 ages 4-12, and they have the option to open up a savings account for college.

“If they sign up on 5/29 then the Tennessee Department of Treasury will put in the first $50  to that savings account,” Katie Jarvis with the DPA said. The holiday weekend also includes a unique sailing event, the park’s 3rd annual Cardboard Boat Regatta.

“The rules are you can only have cardboard and duct ape and you can paint it however you want. I’ve heard rumors that there is gonna be a banana boat,” Jarvis said.

Discovery Park is normally closed on Mondays, however in honor of Memorial Day it will be open, as well as holding a special memorial service for veterans.