[MSN] CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) - A rocket on display for two years at veterans' museum was discovered to be live Wednesday and was removed safely, authorities said.

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Rocket at Museum Found to Be Live

3 hours ago

CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) - A rocket on display for two years at veterans' museum
was discovered to be live Wednesday and was removed safely, authorities
said.

The Allegany County's Combined County Criminal Investigations unit and the
State Fire Marshal's Office said the ordnance was on display at the Vietnam
Veterans of America Chapter 172 on North Liberty Street. The ordnance was a
48-inch by 2.75-inch Mark 1 Rocket similar to those used on helicopter gun
ships during the Vietnam conflict, Deputy State Fire Marshal Joseph Zurolo
Jr. said.

The rocket was donated to the museum at the chapter building by a local
Vietnam veteran about two years ago, he said.

On Wednesday, Allegany County law enforcers were notified that the rocket
might be live. Bomb squad officers from the fire marshal's office and the
FBI went to the museum, examined the rocket and found it was live.
Technicians removed the rocket and rendered it safe.

Authorities are investigating how the local man came to possess the live
ordnance.