As many of you may have seen on KSWO, the Army plans to close the Fort Sill National Historic Landmark Museum (FSNHLM).  This is the part around the Old Post Quadrangle. 

There are no current plans to close the Field Artillery Museum or the Air Defense Training Support Facility (ADA Museum).  We hope that the plan to leave these two museums alone remains in place. Just like the recent loss of the 77^th Army Band, we are concerned over what seems to be “death” by a thousand small cuts. The heritage of our area is closely tied to FSNHLM.  It is a local, state, and national treasure.

We urge you to contact our federal representatives and request support in reversing this decision before it is too late. 

• Congressman Cole: https://cole.house.gov/contact/email/email-zip-authenticated
• Sen. James Lankford: https://www.lankford.senate.gov/contact/email/
• Sen. Markwayne Mullen: https://www.mullin.senate.gov/

We are being informed that the Secretary of the Army may soon visit Fort Sill, so there is some time sensitivity involved if you wish to join our campaign. Below are some talking points you can include if you desire and to help you with any other advocacy you may choose to engage in.

• The FSNHLM is the most complete, original Indian Wars fort in existence in the US.
• The primary mission is Soldier education (General Army History):

• Since 01 JAN 25, 5,745 Basic Combat Trainees have been through the facilities.
• The projected number for this FY is 18,000, increasing to 22,000 in FY 26.

The secondary mission is accountability of a tremendous collection of artifacts.  The facility had already begun a downsizing of this collection.  Most of those were items that did not have direct historic tie to Fort Sill or the southwest Oklahoma area.

• Since 2015, the collection has decreased from 25,000 to 15,000.
• The plan is to reduce by another 6,000 for a total of 9,000 remaining items.

The Army is not saving any money by closing the museum since the buildings are a National Landmark and cannot be demolished.  These historic buildings will still require upkeep and maintenance.

Please consider taking an active role in working to help preserve an important part of our heritage."

Don DuRant

SWOK MOAA President