Museum of the American Military Family & Learning Center

Born on New London Submarine Base, Groton, CT, Terrill Ann and her four siblings grew up as proud Navy Brats. Her family moved frequently so Terrill learned to adapt, make friends and get involved in her new communities. Because of her love of architecture, landscape and art, she was drawn to local artists who created reflections of their environments. She became an avid collector of artwork and crafts, searching out unique treasures everywhere she lived or traveled. As a Navy Brat, she became a consummate beach bum–feet in the sand is her place to be, so she chose Pensacola Florida, a long-time Navy town in which to retire. Terrill Ann, an Army spouse for 30+ years  raised four Brat sons, and worked and volunteered in supported those who serve—at the USO and Red Cross.  She served as a spouse liaison, was a member of various wives’ clubs, managed a thrift shop and an overseas Stars & Stripes bookstore. She’s also worked for the Navy Exchange, Navy Federal Credit Union and in the telecommunications industry. She considers herself to be a “Jill of all Trades.” 

Terrill Ann says, “Military children are affectionately known as Brats, and we embrace a unique military subculture and heritage all our own. Thousands of Brats embrace our unique name “Brat,” because it was lovingly bestowed upon us by those who serve—our parents and relatives.”

Terrill Ann recognized the need to document that unique heritage, and with the input of hundreds of fellow Brats, designed the Military Brat ID Seal. In the five years since its creation, it has been registered and copyrighted in the Library of Congress, and the Military Brat Seal has been embraced by thousands of Brats and their parents as a proud display of Military Brat Heritage.  Terrill Ann is pleased to be part of the Museum of the American Military Family Team. 

Military Brats Seal designs can be found on pins, challenge coins, patches, and badges of honor. They are purchased to recognize, honor or show appreciation and love for a Brat’s major milestone events, such as a graduation, retirement, birth or memorial.  Terrill Ann continues to create unique gift items, many as limited editions.

Made in USA , the Brat Seal proudly waves the banner, “Pluribus Locis Nostrum” which translates to “many places are home” which truly reflects Brat heritage, past, present and future.  Brats can continue to embrace their proud heritage with our Military Brats Seal , which can be found on ebay at https://ebay.usr/military_brat_seal.        

Diane Page Harper, the 2020-2022 MAMF Artist-in-Residence has spent more than a decade putting together her own personal puzzle through drawing, painting, and collage. Her innate curiosity and playfulness shine through in each composition, and by inviting dialogue to develop organically on blank surfaces and by channeling her understanding of color theory and intuition, Diane draws forth underlying narratives from her subconscious. These stories often reach back to her youth as the child of a military family, and the travels, travails and triumphs that accompany that lifestyle. Her father was a forensic photographer with the US Army Crime Lab who taught himself photography by using his family as his subjects. He left behind a treasure trove of photographs providing inspiration for Diane’s work.

Trained as a social worker, she returned to school and earned her studio art degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She believes in helping others connect with their most creative selves, and teaches through various venues, including her own studio, as a faculty member at the Museum School of the Arkansas Arts Center, and previously as an adjunct instructor at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. 

Sunday, December 22 from 12:00 noon till 3:00 pm

         Tokyo Army Hospital, December 1954 – Patient Paul Zolbrod, a Jewish Korean War veteran, while convalescing from a mysterious disease which nearly killed him,  is surrounded by Turkish United Nations soldiers hospitalized with hemorrhagic fever. Their mutual circumstances of war, disease, and hospitalization, along with other patients, brought their customs, faiths, and countries together just in time for Christmas that year.

         Paul’s story – “A GI’s Christmas Carol”– is told in 30 hand-collaged panels of vintage photos, publications, original art and text about that time and that place in 1954 when Muslims, Jews, and Christians all celebrated a very special Christmas together in Japan.

         Paul, the Museum Emeritus Writer-in-Residence, will be on hand throughout the three-hour exhibit to interact with visitors. This heartwarming story assures, that for a while at least, the “Forgotten War” will not be forgotten.

         Visitors can also tour the other museum exhibits, including the story of the Department of Defense schools around the world and two special exhibits telling what it’s like to be a military spouse and to grow up as a military kid.

         Admission to the exhibit and museum is free: donations gratefully accepted.

Exhibit hours are 12:00 noon till 3:00 pm. Sponsors for A GI Christmas Carol-Tokyo Army Hospital 1954 include Rich Ford, Albuquerque, NM, Robert Farley Insurance, South Bend, IN and the American Legion Post 17, Espanola, NM. 

The Museum of the American Military Family is at 546B State Highway 333 (Old Route 66) in Tijeras (right next to Molly’s) seven miles east of Tramway.