On Sunday, about 200 people packed the wide outdoor terrace leading into the museum.

A veterans color guard marched flags into place, backs not quite as straight, arms not quite as thick as they once were. A four-year-old led the Pledge of Allegiance. A bugle’s wavering notes echoed in the memorial’s halls.

Slay called it an “exciting day” and promised a facility transformation.

“Visitors will return to a world-class museum,” he told the crowd.

History Museum President Frances Levine said the work would “reunite artifacts with the stories of those who served.”

“I can assure you it will be worth the wait,” she said.

And Terrie Hobson, president of the local chapter of the parents support group American Gold Star Mothers, spoke of her son, Lance Cpl. Jack Kenner, who died in Iraq eight years ago. Mothers still meet at Soldiers Memorial quarterly, she said.

The crowd pulled handkerchiefs and tissues from pockets.