About Us: The Legacy of The Bunker

A Place to Gather, Heal, and Honor

The Bunker's story began in 1982, founded by the Vietnam Veterans of Central Florida. More than just a building, it was conceived as a vital, welcoming space—a true sanctuary where veterans, military families, and the local Vietnamese community could gather, find healing, and honor their shared experiences.

To preserve this powerful legacy for future generations, the group established the Cpl Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum, dedicated on May 29, 1993.

An Evolving Community Hub

Over the decades, The Bunker has flourished into a vibrant, multi-generational home for service organizations, youth groups, motorcycle riders, ladies auxiliary members, and local charities. In 2024, Orlando Bunker Inc. became our core charity, officially anchoring and expanding the support for the Smedley Museum and its important exhibit grounds.

At its heart, The Bunker remains a place where every veteran and community member finds a true sense of belonging—a place where service, remembrance, and hope come together.

Our Mission: Service, Remembrance, Hope

Our mission is to powerfully connect the legacy of service with the needs of today's community. We achieve this by focusing on three core pillars:

1. Assisting Veterans in Need: Providing essential support and a welcoming community for those who have served.

2. Inspiring Future Generations: Educating and inspiring local students through engaging historical programs at the Smedley Museum.

3. Giving Back to Central Florida: Serving as a dedicated hub for local charities and contributing critical resources to the wider community.

Our Promise: To be a steadfast source of remembrance, a catalyst for healing, and a home for community service for generations to come.

What We Do: Making an Impact

The Bunker is a dynamic center of community action and historical preservation, active in three key areas:

1. Preserving History at the Smedley Museum

Maintain and enhance the Cpl Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum and its outdoor exhibit grounds.
Host educational tours and programs to ensure the lessons and sacrifices of the Vietnam War are remembered and understood by students and the public.
Collect and display artifacts that tell the authentic, human stories of service members and their families.

2. Supporting Veterans & Military Families

Provide a welcoming hub for various service organizations, including the founders, the Vietnam Veterans of Central Florida.
Offer meeting and gathering spaces for veteran support groups, ladies' auxiliaries, and family readiness organizations.
Directly assist veterans in need through community-led programs and partnerships.

3. Investing in Central Florida

Serve as a meeting and event location for numerous local charities and community youth groups.
Drive charitable giving back into the community, exemplified by the over $13,000 contributed to the Lake Nona VA Medical Center in 2024 and 2025.
Act as the home base for Orlando Bunker Inc., our dedicated charity focused on expanding our impact across all mission areas.