Planes and parachutes, medals and memorabilia, it's all at the Silent Wings Museum.
Mel Pliner, a World War II vet, takes pride in the museum, which is dedicated to glider pilots like himself. Though he's from Arizona, Pliner always finds himself coming back to Lubbock on the anniversary of D-Day to remember his time spent serving our country.
"The thing is that the gliders pilots really haven't really gotten any recognition until 10 or 12 years ago because after World War II the ones that got recognized were the fighter pilots flying in bombing raids over Berlin, and oil fields, and other fighter pilots that were fighting," Pliner said.
Rebeccas Seip, communications director at Silent Wings says this event isn't just for World War II vets.
"We have coloring for the kids, and they can also dress up like World War II soldiers," Seip said. "And then also we are having the airborne demonstration team here with their C-47 "boogie baby. So people can come out and look at the the C-47 which was an integral part of World War II, and for $125 they can ride in it."
She says she's excited to see the museum drawing such a healthy crowd.
"We have had a lot of families which is great," Seip said. "Young kids have been coming out and learning with their grandparents so they can share the moment together."
Pliner remembers the buildup to that day well.
"Now D-Day is the sixth of June, but let me back up," Pliner said. "Originally, D-Day was supposed to be the fourth of June. But when Eisenhower's weather squadren advised him that the fourth and fifth were going to be stormy but that their would be a break in the weather on the sixth, Eisenhower said we'd go on the sixth of June. That is how D-day became the sixth instead of the fourth."
Pliner says he's grateful for events like this one, which ensure monumental events such as D-Day are never forgotten.
"I feel justified in the fact that we did what we had to do and in memory of those who gave their lives to keep this world free.
I feel justified and I feel that the little part that I played in it was justified, and I think the rest of the world does too."
Though focused on glider pilots the Silent Wings Museum has multiple exhibits dedicated to World War II and D-Day. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday.
Click here for the museum website.
