Saddam Hussein display at local military museum

Hussein display: Over seventy authentic Saddam Hussein artifacts will be featured at the Camp Anderson Military Museum during Fourth of July weekend. Examiner Photo by Tracy Kessner

The Camp Anderson Military Museum has obtained a rare collection of Saddam Hussein memorabilia that will be on display beginning this Fourth of July weekend.

Hussein was president of Iraq from July 16, 1979, until April 9, 2003, when he was deposed during the invasion of Iraq by U.S.-led forces. He was executed on Dec. 30, 2006, for war crimes and genocide.

The display features over 70 authentic artifacts, including a winter jacket and medals worn by Hussein, that are laid near a photo of him wearing them. Other household items retrieved from Hussein’s Imperial Palace include rare teacups laced in gold, of which there were only two ever made - one for the king of Spain and the other for Hussein, a military plaque, dining table, photos and more.

An Iraqi general’s uniform, beret and gun with holster, along with other Iraqi soldier gear and medals issued by Hussein, are also on exhibit.

According to owner Jesse Hernandez of Tomball, the Hussein display is the only one of its kind in the state of Texas. The artifacts are on loan and must be returned to another museum later this year.

The 24,000-square-foot museum, which features over 1,000 authentic artifacts from World War II, the Civil War, Vietnam and other historical wars, is open to the public this Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After this weekend, the museum will be opened by reservation only.

For more information, please call 936-873-2807 or visit www.andersonmilitarymuseum.com.