WEST POINT — Rain didn’t dampen the spirits of 43 veterans, their guests, and a host of Batson-Cook Construction employees who participated in a recent Veterans’ Day “Honor Bus Tour” to the National Infantry Museum in Columbus. It was  the ninth annual “Honor Bus Tour” – a day-long trip from West Point to Columbus that included a guided tour of the National Infantry Museum (NIM), a buffet lunch, a movie about D-Day and the Normandy invasion, lots of time for veterans to share memories, and a huge outpouring of respect and appreciation from the Batson-Cook employees on the tour, active duty soldiers, and NIM staff.

The 43 veterans – some from as far back as World War II – and their guests gathered at Batson-Cook’s West Point office for a continental breakfast before boarding a chartered coach for the ride to Columbus.

The National Infantry Museum is dedicated solely to the American infantryman’s journey to defeat tyranny around the globe. The museum boasts 1,845 historic artifacts on display from its collection of more than 29,152 items; 38 immersive walk-throughs, interactive kiosks and guest-triggered videos; and 42 individual monuments, including the Vietnam Memorial Plaza and WWII Company Street.

Batson-Cook organized the first Honor Bus Tour in 2009, the year in which the company  completed construction of the 190,000-square-foot museum.

Project Manager Travis Evans, who was assigned to the 33-month-long project, was inspired to create this event for veterans because he was deeply moved by two things during the construction process: the developer’s commitment to make NIM one of the nation’s leading military history destinations, and the incredible contribution of the American infantryman throughout history. The result was the Honor Bus Tour, which to date has provided a memorable and moving experience for the nearly 375 veterans who have participated.