Metro and State
WWII museum in the works
By Vincent T. Davis
San Antonio Express-News

Web Posted : 11/12/2001 12:00 AM

With the turn of a shovel full of sand on Sunday, Steven Stoli took a major step toward honoring a longtime promise he made to his father.

Stoli and scores of veterans ceremoniously broke ground on a World War II Memorial Museum honoring the men, women and children of that era.

The event kicked off with U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla, R-San Antonio, turning a shovel of sand from Normandy, Omaha Beach and Iwo Jima in a "steel pot helmet."

Bonilla's son Austin surprised the gathering when he read a personal letter from President Bush congratulating the Steven Stoli Foundation on the opening. Among the 100 in attendance were Pearl Harbor survivors, European and Pacific veterans and women who served in the military.

The museum will be located adjacent to the Steven Stoli Playhouse at 11840 Wurzbach Road.

The idea for the museum began as a promise from Stoli to his father to create a WWII play every season. His first play, "1943: The Homefront," was written to honor his parents' wartime romance. His father was in the military police and served in Europe.

To further that goal, Stoli established the nonprofit organization to help writers chronicle war stories, display memorabilia in a museum and provide an educational program to teach children about that generation's role in history.

Funding for the project will be provided by fund-raising events continuing through the holidays.

Once completed, the 3,000-square-foot museum will house more than 600 wartime items and include an authentic 1940s-style concession stand, the "Stage Door Canteen." Stoli said the current display features 90 items, each with a distinct story.

vtdavis@express-news.net

11/12/2001