The Marion County Museum & Archives is planning an exhibit to honor Marion County Vietnam veterans. This exhibit will provide a personal look at the varied daily experiences of these honored soldiers.
The public is invited to help by providing funding and by offering exhibit materials on loan, Curator Carol Durham said in a news release.
Displayed will be photos, letters, essays, uniforms and medals. Video interviews will give a sense of what some of these veterans experienced as well as short essays on unique memories. A banner flag of names and signatures will allow a quiet time to reflect for friends and family of those who served.
The exhibit, free to the public, will open Nov. 1 and will remain open through Dec. 31 in an expanded room at the museum.
Simultaneously, from Nov. 14 through Nov. 17, the “The Wall That Heals” will be at Bluff Street Park, bringing an expected thousands of visitors into our community. Thanks to the “Hearts of Hope” organization, headed by Carlton Thornhill, Columbia is the only community in Mississippi honored to host this national exhibit of the scale model of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
“The museum exhibition will be a means of not only expressing our community’s depth of gratitude for sacrifices made, but also show those who are visiting the quality of our personal pride and commitment as citizens of Marion County, a giving and caring community,” Durham said in the news release.
The Marion County Vietnam Veterans exhibit will give everyone an opportunity to hear the voices of those who choose to speak through the exhibition and to honor those who put their young lives in jeopardy in the war.
The museum needs the public’s participation with funding and gifts for permanent display or loans of objects and uniforms that can be used during the exhibition. Some newspaper articles may be copied for display and the originals returned immediately to the donor. Other items on loan can be returned immediately after the exhibit closes.
A huge contribution will be from volunteers needed to help with building displays, organizing the exhibit and staffing it while open.
Funds are needed for building standing wall displays, cabinet displays and for printing graphics and banners in order to create a dynamic, educational and very personal experience in honor of
Marion County Vietnam veterans, Durham said. Much of this exhibition will become a permanent part of the museum’s military display.
As a corporation or an individual, if you would like to help sponsor this exhibition, sponsorship donations are tax deductible. If you are able to be of assistance in making this exhibit an outstanding example of appreciation for Marion County Vietnam Veterans, please contact Durham at (601) 731-3999 or email marioncountyhist@yahoo.com.
You may also consider joining the Marion County Historical Society as it supports the museum’s efforts in programming and exhibitions.
As a member, your input is important in directing the Museum programs toward historical areas of community interest, Durham said.
The MCHS also sponsors events during the year such as the coming Heritage Festival in Friendship Park on Oct. 5. This annual event attracts several thousands of people to Columbia for a fun-filled day.
Museum hours are now Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
