About Us: The Legacy of The Bunker

Camaraderie, Remembrance, and Honor

The Bunker started in 1992 as a meeting place for Vietnam veterans in east Orlando. More than just a building, it was conceived as a vital, welcoming space—a sanctuary where veterans, military families, and the local Vietnamese community could gather, find healing, and honor their shared experiences.

The Bunker acquired military aircraft, trucks, and equipment to create the Cpl Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum, named after a Marine from Orlando who received the Medal of Honor. Former SeaBees built facilities for picnics, birthdays, weddings, celebrations, memorials, and just hanging out.

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, anchoring support for the Smedley Museum, its unique exhibits, and outreach to local communities.

At its heart, The Bunker remains a place to reflect and find a sense of belonging—a place where camaraderie, remembrance, and honor come together.

Our Mission: Education, Connection, Service

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. Preserving History for Future Generations: Preserving the history of American veterans and educating local students at the Smedley Museum.

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

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 and government programs and partnerships.

3. Investing in Central Florida

Drive charitable giving back into the community, exemplified by $13,000 contributed to the Lake Nona VA Medical Center in 2024 and 2025.
Supporting local communities and civic organizations including Bonneville Elementary School, Scout and JROTC youth groups, and neighborhood food banks.
Serve as a meeting and event location for local communities, youth groups, and individuals.