Close to 50 people came to the Marion County Museum & Archives Friday night for the unveiling of the new exhibit, “Marion County Vietnam Veterans.”
Curator Carol Durham has been working on gathering items for the last few weeks, and the exhibit is being set up in conjunction with the Wall that Heals, which will be set up nearby at Bluff Street Park Nov. 14 through Nov. 17.
“This is very nice,” Marine Dutch Van Fleet said as he was walking through it.
The museum has been able to expand, and the new exhibit is in the former computer lab of Pearl River Community College in the former train depot building at the end of Second Street.
Marion County Historical Society President Lori Watts said, “Being able to honor our local Vietnam veterans and at the same time seeing the quality of work produced by Carol in this her first temporary exhibit as curator is exciting for the Historical Society. We appreciate everyone who has supported the work and made it possible and hope everyone will come and see this very moving and enlightening exhibit.”
“This is really neat,” said Carrie Magee looking at the different displays.
The exhibit has a map of Southeast Asia, soldier uniforms and supplies, even a makeshift bunker. There is also a video of veterans who spoke of their time in Vietnam.
“I was so pleased not only with the comments but also with the response of the amount of people who came,” Durham said.
Durham said on Saturday some of the veterans came back and brought their families and other veterans with them to see the exhibit.
“It is very exciting; I even had veterans who also wanted to be interviewed and have their interview included on the video which is playing in the exhibit,” she said.
The exhibit will be on display until Jan. 31. The museum’s hours are 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information, call (601) 731-3999.
