Each month, the American Heritage Museum features a spotlight on the volunteers who help keep our mission alive each and every day. This month we feature the following article on David Weatherby, a U.S. Army Veteran and Volunteer Docent from Hampton, NH. 

I grew up in Hampton, New Hampshire, where my family’s strong military tradition had a big influence on me. My father and uncles served in World War II across the Army Air Forces, Navy, and Army. Following in their footsteps, I served 20 years on active duty in the U.S. Army, from 1975 until my retirement in 1995.

I began my military career through the ROTC program at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. My initial training started in October 1975 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where I spent six months learning everything about tanks—operating, maintaining, driving, firing, and using radios for communication. After completing my training on the M60A1 tank, I was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, for nearly four years. There, I served as a tank leader responsible for the maintenance, gunnery, tactical training, and overall management of five tanks. Eventually, I became the Company Executive Officer, overseeing the maintenance of all 29 vehicles in the tank company. Later, I took command of a mortar platoon, as every tank battalion has one providing indirect fire support, and eventually commanded a brigade headquarters company at Fort Carson.

Following that, I returned to Fort Knox for an additional nine months of training before being assigned to Germany in 1980. There, I was part of the team responsible for introducing the new XM1 tank into service. We set up training programs for the new equipment, learned how to operate the tank, and trained the troops. I worked on this program for two years before joining the 1st Armored Division, where I commanded an M60A3 tank company for a year in Ansbach, Germany.

Upon returning to the U.S., I served with an ROTC detachment for four years, focusing on recruiting and training Army ROTC cadets. Although many cadets were more interested in aviation, it was incredibly gratifying to see some of those I trained go on to serve in the first Gulf War. My career had come full circle, as I transitioned from being trained to training others who would serve our country in combat.

After my first ten years in the Army, I realized I needed to prepare for my future and decided to specialize in procurement, specifically in support of tanks and related units. My final assignment was at the Tank Automotive Command near Detroit, Michigan, where tanks are produced, and new systems are researched. This allowed me to combine my operational experience with my new procurement skills until I retired from the U.S. Army in 1995.

After retiring, I began a new career in Burlington, Massachusetts, with a company that supported both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army. I was able to seamlessly transfer my procurement experience into this role, supporting the Department of Defense for the next 25 years.

Upon my second retirement, my wife told me about the American Heritage Museum opening in Massachusetts and said, “This place is tailor-made for you!” In August 2019, I visited the museum for the first time, and as soon as I stepped onto the mezzanine overlooking the entire exhibit, my jaw dropped. I couldn’t believe how many tanks were in one place—it was truly a sight to behold for someone who loves tanks as much as I do.

I returned to the museum for a Tank Demonstration Weekend in 2021, where I met Ed Romer, a volunteer docent at the museum. We had a long conversation while watching the tanks, discussing the newly restored Panzer 1A on display. As we talked about my interest and experience in armor, he encouraged me to consider volunteering. It only took me ten minutes to decide to do it! I called the museum the following week, spoke with Colin Rixon, and scheduled an interview. Since June 2021, I’ve been volunteering at the museum.

I love interacting with visitors at the American Heritage Museum because they genuinely want to learn about everything on display. I especially enjoy guiding school field trips, where I can help younger people understand history and even participate in it. Exhibits like the Hanoi Hilton allow students to engage with the Vietnam War in ways not typically taught in classrooms.

Speaking of the Hanoi Hilton, I have to say one of the greatest experiences I have had during my time as a volunteer was the day we dedicated the exhibit and sixteen of the original POWs were here with us to share their experiences. Meeting them and listening to their stories was one of the most amazing opportunities I have had. We all drew inspiration from their courage and the fact that they can reflect on what they went through with honor and pride. It wasn’t a day of sadness… it was a day of respect.

That is one of the best parts about being a volunteer… the people you meet. Every day I work here, I enjoy speaking with other veterans and hearing their stories and finding common bonds. I meet a lot of people who served on the same tank I did or served at some time or another in the same unit I served in.

Though we talk a lot about tanks, one of the greatest things about the American Heritage Museum is the fact that it’s not just tanks. Exhibits like the Berlin Wall, the steel from the World Trade Center after 9/11, and now the German WWII Rail Car that was used in the Holocaust… they allow history to come alive for visitors to see and touch. It helps inspire us to better understand our shared history.

I’m proud to be a part of it.