Veterans’ Day is coming and the Kentucky Historical Society is marking the state’s military history with its Kentucky Military Treasures exhibit.
The exhibit debuted at the Kentucky State Fair and speaks of the individual experiences of Kentuckians during the nation’s wars.
An online image of the exhibit can be found at the historical society’s Web site at www.ky.history.gov.
One of the problems in setting up the exhibit, says the Kentucky Historical Society’s Chronicle, was the large extent of the collection.
The KHS curators looked for stories that could be told by using artifacts from the huge collection.
The intent of the nine stories told both online and at the physical exhibit is to help Kentuckians understand the war experience of Kentucky men and women.
Both large and small artifacts were assembled including boots removed from the feet of Vietnam War soldier Marcus Raymond Davis at his 1970 death.
Another artifact is a letter written by John Rodman in 1942 while he served in the Philippine Islands. The letter was shipped in a mailbag that was carried by a submarine, then a freighter that was torpedoed. The mailbag was found floating in the ocean and picked up.
The letter was delivered to his mother’s home six months after it was sent.
A gallery exhibition will open in the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort on Veterans’ Day.
About 100 artifacts will be displayed and two “In Their Own Words” stations will be available for visitors to become familiar with military men and women from Kentucky who fought in the War of 1812 through the Global War on Terror.
Frankfort has been a place that I’ve longed to often visit since I was introduced to its historical importance when I was maybe 10 years old.
On a vacation trip to visit an aunt and uncle in Louisville, my parents and I stopped in Frankfort on the way up.
There we saw the statue of Gov. William Goebel, then at the foot of the steps leading up to the current Capitol building. Now it is in the lawn of the Old Capitol where Goebel was fatally shot during the end of the 19th Century as a result of his politics.
At least one man from this area, Caleb Powers of Knox County, was charged with the assassination. Eventually after several trials, he was freed and went on to be a U.S. Representative from this area.
The Old Capitol was a treasure trove of “stuff.” In it were old military uniforms, guns, keepsakes, historical clothing, and even a scale model of what Fort Boonesboro might have looked like in Daniel Boone’s day.
I was totally fascinated by it and my next trip was the spring trip taken by my eighth grade class at London Grade School.
Frankly, I’m fascinated with Kentucky history.
It has gotten into my blood, particularly the history of this area — especially London and Laurel County.
Those two entities are looking at the 185th anniversary of their establishment.
Establishment of Laurel County was allowed by the legislature in December 1825 and the county was actually organized in March 1826. London was established the next day.
So in 2010 and 2011, there will be big doings in celebration of the long life of London and Laurel County.
It’s time to be thinking about what will happen during that time and London-Laurel Countians will bring it about.
Any suggestions for themes, events or other things to do would be welcomed. Send an email to: cvgreene@yahoo.com.
We may not use all the suggestions, but we’ll certainly give them a good examination and try to make the celebration quite a celebration.
Carl Keith Greene is a writer for the Times-Tribune. He can be reached at cgreene@thetimestribune.com
Editorials
Related Photos
Discussion
A historical event is on its way
Carl Keith Greene
- Editorials
-
-
Autism and my grandson’s first swim
My 11-year-old grandson took his first trip off the diving board last week. Two weeks previously, he couldn’t swim at all.
-
Do not stand around; get involved today
The publishing of the news, blogging of stories, posting of videos and the use of today’s communication tools has really changed the landscape of our world. Thirty years ago, television as we know it did not even exist. The real means of communication was radio.
-
Broken-home Bob becomes top dog
In the span of a few days, Broken-home Bob went from sharing a home with three other dogs to romping on a farm in Hazel Green, eating steak off the grill and becoming top dog in a new family.
-
There could be more at stake than a congressional seat
If Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes’ calculations are correct, a small number of voters in northern Kentucky could have a big impact Tuesday on the future of the Republican Party of Kentucky. Based on past elections and absentee ballots, Grimes suggests only about 12 percent of voters may turn out.
-
Some barbershop wisdom for government regulators
The randomness of occupational licensing regulations in Kentucky, especially for jobs often filled by lower-income citizens, has specific – and unfortunate – consequences. -
A summer of parks and history
Well, it’s the middle of May, and it seems that we’ve had spring and summer already.
-
David Mitchell was Lynn Camp football
It’s going to be weird not seeing David Mitchell pace up and down the Lynn Camp Wildcat sidelines during the fall.
-
Opportunity is yours
Opportunity is something that you hear a lot about today. Politicians like to talk about opportunity and there is no shortage of thoughts from the presidential camps on this topic.
-
Hope for lost land and lives
“Gullies so big you could bury a horse,” are words I heard as a child raised in hillside farming country.
-
Returning to a quiet capitol
After a two-month absence, I’ve returned to Frankfort where things seem calmer than when I left.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Egyptians Vote in Historic Presidential Election
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Marches to 'Remember' Tornado Victims
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
