IN HONOR OF THEIR SERVICE: Allamakee County Veterans Museum to open in time for Memorial Day Weekend in former Vets Club building

by David M. Johnson

The former Allamakee County Courthouse on Allamakee Street in Waukon is a perfect setting for a museum; the building in itself has historic value and is housing pieces of area history that have their own significant value. Due to the efforts of a number of local history enthusiasts, this local attraction is now going to have a complementing venue of area interest ready to open in the coming weeks that will further enhance and continue the local historic perspective of this county and its residents who served their nation.

In an arrangement with Allamakee County leadership, the Allamakee County Historical Society has leased the Vets Club building located next to the Courthouse Museum and has moved forward with renovations of the building to now house an ambitious project that will further highlight local history. The Society board, responsible for 50 years of maintaining the Courthouse Museum, has worked to utilize the new space to provide a platform to expose the public to the contributions of area military veterans, as well as contributions they made to their country and their own local community.

When the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion chapters had surrendered their lease on the Vets Club, the Allamakee Historical Society jumped into the mix and leased the building, the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors leasing the Vets Club to the Society for 50 years rent free.

The Society paid all the costs for modeling and modernizing the building interior, plus the cost of installing exhibits. No formal fund drive was conducted, but community donations, contributions from local veteran organizations, a grant from the Iowa Department of Veteran Affairs, and volunteer services all supplemented endowed funds committed by the Society.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
It has been more than a year since that agreement was first reached and now the Society is planning to open its addition to area history during the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend. In a recent meeting with several individuals responsible for the preparation, planning and the opening, insight was given on the process involved with this endeavor.

Having a general idea of what they would like to do, members of the Society pushed forward beginning with the idea that the “mission statement” would be to display military items that would assist in amplifying the sacrifice and commitment of local citizens who had served in this country’s armed forces.

Society member Jim Garrett approached local veteran Carl Johnson and asked if he would be willing to loan his Vietnam War collection as a display in the museum. Johnson agreed and he and his family moved his sizable collection to the museum.

What followed was an undertaking that witnessed an empty room grow into something that a rural county community could not only be proud of but that would rival much larger community museums. There are displays that cover the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War, the Grenada liberation, and Iraq/Afghanistan.

There are exhibits that deal with the Navy, Air Force, along with the infantry elements of the Army and Marines. There are life-size displays of trench warfare during World War I, a tiger cage replica used for American prisoners during the Vietnam War, a replica of a Viet Cong tunnel, a life-size display of American infantrymen during the Vietnam War, and a display titled “Harley Davidson Goes to War” projects an image that leaves little to the imagination (photos of some of those displays accompany this article).

There are all the accouterments of military service that help define the different levels and eras of service. From uniforms to tools of the military, numerous photos and small dioramas that each help to educate the public on what military service is all about, especially relevant as it encompasses the local service of county residents.

Carl’s wife, Julie Johnson, and Historical Society member Marcia Rush set up a reproduction of a living room from the 1940s with the old-time radio broadcasting FDR (President Franklin Delano Roosevelt) fireside chats and the famous declaration of war to the United States Congress after the Pearl Harbor Attack. There is also an exhibit of Allamakee County’s most recent casualty of war - and hopefully its last ever, featuring Harpers Ferry native Russ Robinson, who was killed in the Grenada invasion in 1983. This exhibit displays and amplifies the grief of the loss of not only a son and sibling, but hopefully encapsulates a family grief that represents the despair of dozens of county families that shared the same loss of one of their own in service to their country.

Historical Society member John Bauercamper observes that most of the larger undertakings of the museum project are ready but adds, “Done but not done.” Asked if there were challenges with this undertaking, as one, this group noted where the Vets Club building was separating from the adjoining building next door. Plumbing, electrical work, flooring and ceiling improvements were part of the renovation before there were any placements of historical displays.

GIVING VETERANS A VOICE
Bauercamper feels that with the historical exhibits, as well as the program presentations in a designated room next door, the experiences of local veterans will be given the voice that defines their service. Local U.S. Navy veteran Chuck Bloxham has been conducting interviews with county residents and hopes to do many more. This, along with period videos, will be part of this veteran museum through the program presentations offered throughout the year as part of regular museum hours.

Board member George Beardmore expressed the desire that the museum will utilize today’s technology to give more life to the presentations and exhibits. With the use of technology such as virtual reality, sound and computer effects that will pique the interest of a younger generation, the hope is that the older membership will transition into involvement of a younger generation that has the enthusiasm to continue the work of the older regime.

There will be rotation of exhibits so the atmosphere of the museum does not become stale and continues a fresh narrative through the months and years. There is also a plan to develop a museum library where the public can digitally access the stories and pictures of all of the county residents who participated in this nation’s military.

MANY INVOLVED
In addition to Historical Society members, there has been a large number of other individuals who have been instrumental in the museum presentation including Lansing’s Don Peters and New Albin’s Gary Thomas. Allamakee County Veteran Service Director Heather Homewood has contributed time to assist with veteran issues; the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors - especially Dan Byrnes, a non-voting member of the Historical Society Board; and Clay Klingeman, a Waukon High School junior who has been named a junior member of the board, have also been heavily involved in the process.

OPENING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
There will be no charge for admission, but donations will be accepted. The Society has been fortunate so far in receiving beneficial bequests from individuals, which has been helpful in meeting financial concerns of the Historical Society.

There will be a dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28 at the museum. That Memorial Day Weekend, museum hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, so the public may participate in the local Memorial Day programs at Oakland Cemetery.

Following its initial opening Memorial Day Weekend, the Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the months of June and July through the end of August. There has not been a decision yet made on future openings in the fall and winter months. The Museum plans on tours being provided. Additionally, by special appointment, family and school reunions and other interest groups will have access to the museum. All school districts and civic organizations will be given special attention so they may have the opportunity to enjoy this historical venue.

MORE THAN JUST DISPLAYS - “ROLL OF HONOR”
One important aspect that museum organizers and members of the Historical Society hope to address with this new honoring of local service men and women is the seemingly growing lack of interest shown by a large segment of today’s society when presented with the opportunity to discover history. Noting that sentiment being echoed throughout today’s society in many aspects, from educational approaches that disregard or brush over such history on down through family heirlooms that may be sold off or even just discarded without value, this new museum hopes to introduce a more personal and human approach to the history of the veterans it represents and the sacrifices they made.

A special wall, labeled “The Roll of Honor,” is located towards the entrance of the museum. On this wall are pictures and names of local veterans who were prisoners of war and/or died while serving their country in the military. Museum organizers hope that such a display not only honors these area individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country and protecting its freedoms, but also makes people realize that these are not just faces with a name but instead native individuals who - prior to committing to serving their country in the military - lived individual lives and had hopes, dreams and aspirations, much like anyone who will be viewing those photos and the other items throughout the museum.

Some of those “Roll of Honor” images include the aforementioned Russ Robinson, whose sisters have said they wonder what would it have been like if he had come home, had a family, and shared family and community experiences. The same could be said for the families of Alan Bresnahan and James Riley, one-time familiar faces who would have worked and played out their own lives and whose sacrifice should be much more than just a footnote, a picture and a name on a wall.

Dale Reeder was a prisoner of war (POW) during the Korean War. He did come home and most “locals” remember his ensuing contribution to this county. Donald Baxter, a prisoner of war during that same conflict, did not come back but died in a POW camp. It is hoped that the “Roll of Honor” Wall and the rest of the exhibits on display in the Allamakee County Veterans Museum will be able to provide more of a perspective into how the loss suffered in service to one’s country was not just a loss of life but a loss for the entire community from which those who made the ultimate sacrifice came from, further enhancing the importance of history and how it affects today’s world, as well as how individuals make history as much as groups or nations.

Museums, historical monuments, and other historical attractions are meant to offer an important significance from the past that should make living life today more meaningful, providing an opportunity to realize that the “old stuff” has a story, that the past and those who had contributed to that past have helped decide the present and will be part of the path into the future. Hopefully, that aspect can be remembered by those visiting the new Allamakee County Veterans Museum and experiencing the history it provides.