A Sneek Peek....

A Call to Duty
   How does one begin to create an exhibit as complex and historical as WWII? How does one display an item that was involved in the atrocities of a war? How does one not get personally attached to each and every artifact and family? I can honestly say, “I don’t know.”

   When it was suggested last year that we entertain the idea of this exhibit as we partnered with Wings Over Alpena Air Show and their salute to WWII, none of the above questions entered my mind. My only concern was the knowledge that not everyone is willing to donate and part with family treasures. The answer seemed simple, we would ask the veterans and families to loan the items to the museum for the duration of the exhibit and at the completion they would be promptly returned to the owners. We started getting the word out to the community in February and the reply has been excellent. I have made some incredible contacts and have received some amazing items. The storage area is beginning to fill with everything from hand grenades (disarmed of course) to ration books and a lot in between. So for the first time since the idea was set in motion, I feel confident that I can fill the     gallery with artifacts...if only it was that simple.

   While talking to the veterans and their families, I have discovered that the items they are donating or loaning to us are not “just items.” Each item has a person attached to it. I learned this lesson in a shocking fashion while I was examining and sorting the contents of a box I received. I reached inside and removed a small blue colored box, and without much thought I flipped it open, and to my amazement it was a Purple Heart medal. Along with the medal was the letter from the military offering their condolences to the family of the fallen soldier. My eyes traveled from the letter back to the medal several times. My hands began to shake and my heart grew heavy. In that instant, I realized what I was holding and what it all meant. This soldier had given his life for our country and I was holding his Purple Heart medal in my hand. All of a sudden it became very clear to me how important this tribute exhibit really is.

   Every item I receive brings a personal attachment with it. Each person that comes into the museum to drop off an item is invited to sit down and share his or her story with me. I find it very important at this point to personalize each item that will be displayed. I’m not sure if others viewing the display will feel the emotions shared by these people, but I do know I have to try and portray that. After hearing the large variety of stories covering all aspects of the war, I find each and every

veteran that served played a very important part in history. From the WAVES to the front line soldiers, they all served with pride, they did the job that was asked of them. I have had veterans share stories with me that are so emotionally charged that they have left me feeling numb and overwhelmed. Many of these stories have been kept inside these veterans for many years. I am very honored to be able to listen and learn from the vast amount of memories being shared with me. Armed with the memories, photos, journals, and the artifacts, I set out to create an exhibit worthy of the veterans it pays tribute to.

   Over the last few months I have watched and read anything remotely related to WWII and it’s history. Did you know they have a channel dedicated just to the military? Simply named, “The Military Channel,” it offers a vast range of military    related subjects. One program is called “Tank Restorer,” that is right, they restore tanks. Every make and model they can find. They soon discover as I did, it is so much more than a tank. There was a person attached to each and every one, history just waiting to be explored. I’ve viewed the documentary, “WWII in HD,” the mini series “Band of Brothers,” I have even watched old reruns of “Combat.” Is it turning into an obsession? If you ask my wife she would say yes, due to the fact she hasn’t had control of the remote in months. With all kidding aside, I feel I need to share each and every story shared with me, I need to be able to relate to locations, conflicts and military ranks. I owe it to the veterans to have as much knowledge about the war as I can. How else can I set an exhibit that correctly tells their story?

   I only hope that after reading this article you are just a bit more interested in the WWII Tribute Exhibit. More importantly you are more interested in the veterans and all who served in the military. You may not have an artifact to loan or a story to share, but there is something you can do. It is very easy to do, it won’t cost you a thing and really doesn’t take up much time. I will guarantee it will make you feel wonderful. The next time you see a veteran, simply shake their hand and tell them “thank you,” after all, we are who we are because of what they did.
-Randy Shultz
Exhibits/Facilities Manager