The exhibit showcases a fascinating piece of military communication history, the MARS radio, an acronym for Military Affiliate Radio Stations. This form of technology was crucial for soldiers in the era before computers and cell phones and was used extensively during the Vietnam War. It was essentially a network of ham radio operators that spanned the entire United States. Soldiers would sign up for a chance to communicate with their loved ones, not knowing when their turn would come. One such call was made on Christmas Eve in 1969, a conversation carefully moderated with instructions on what information could and couldn't be shared. Interestingly, one of the radio operators turned out to be none other than Barry Goldwater, a United States Senator.