As the nation observes the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, it seems an appropriate time to explore one of the great treasures of Oklahoma: The 45th Infantry Division Museum. While it boasts a sprawling collection of military artifacts dating back to the Revolutionary War, the museum's World War II-era items are particularly impressive.

Such displays range from a number of items once owned by Adolf Hitler to an exhibit featuring the works of legendary Bill Mauldin. Surrounding the museum, Thunderbird Park boasts an array of tanks, helicopter, aircraft and other vehicles spanning American military history. Located just east of Martin Luther King Avenue on NE 36th Street, the facility is an awesome testament to Oklahoma's critical role in the defense of the nation.