100-Year-Old Richfield Living Resident Cuts Ribbon at New WWII Museum in Blacksburg
This past Saturday, the town of Blacksburg turned its attention to the grand opening of the World War II Museum of the New River Valley, and among the distinguished guests was none other than our own resident at Richfield Living: 100-year-oldcombat veteran Saunders Webster. He was invited to cut the ribbon — a living bridge between the heroic generation of the 1940s and the new museum’s mission.
A Soldier’s Moment in the Spotlight
As the ceremony unfolded, Webster stood proudly at the ribbon line, surrounded by dozens of fellow veterans and community members. The sky above was charged with reverence as with several military fly-overs. Webster’s presence provided both gravitas and continuity: here was someone who served in combat in World War II, witnessing first-hand the sacrifices being commemorated. His role as distinguished guest lent personal meaning to the museum’s mission of honoring “the sacrifices made by Webster and all those who served.”
The Museum’s Vision: Remembering Sacrifice, Educating Future Generations
Founder Joseph Collins, whose lifelong fascination with World War II was shaped by both of his grandfathers’ service. “I think if you look around, this kind of tells you what the community feels about this project and what I think it’s going to mean to our educational system.”
His impetus for founding the museum emerged more than a decade ago, but truly gained momentum following a field trip with a local middle school. The museum aims to offer a unique glimpse into the New River Valley’s contributions to the war effort — from the men and women who served overseas, to the local industries, communities, and home-front efforts that supported them. As Collins put it:
“To get children to come in here and really learn about what our country did as a whole was really a miracle and just a phenomenal generation.”
At Richfield Living, we are honored to call Saunders Webster one of our residents. His ribbon-cutting at this landmark event will long be remembered — not only for its ceremonial importance, but as a heartfelt acknowledgment of his service and the service of thousands of men and women just like him. As the museum opens its doors, we encourage our community to visit, to learn, and to reflect on the stories that brought us here. The museum is located at 1531 North Main Street, Blacksburg, Virginia. It offers free self-guided tours Tuesday through Saturday.