Traveling Displays

Jay County Fairgrounds (July 4, 2004)

Jim Waechter

What started out as a simple request for a uniform worn in Iraq, resulted in three Indiana members of the 3^rd Infantry Division, based in Fort Stewart, Ga. traveling to Portland, Indiana for the 4^th of July. The Museum of the Soldier, a veteran’s history museum located in Portland, Indiana requested a 3^rd Infantry uniform to add to the Museum’s Operation Iraqi Freedom exhibit, as well as to add to the collection of 3^rd Infantry Division collection, which includes uniforms worn in the First World War up thru the present.

Gayle Aldridge, with the 3^rd Division’s Public Information Office, located and arraigned for the three soldiers and their families to personally present their uniforms to the museum. The soldiers Sgt. Glenn Schuller, Ft. Wayne, a 12 year Army veteran, served with the 1^st Battalion, 9^th Field Artillery, Sgt Scott Bailey also from Ft. Wayne, and a Ball State University graduate served in the 123^rd Signal Battalion. A local soldier, Sgt. Dustin Knipp, of Portland, served in HHC, 23^rd Aviation Battalion, 3^rd Division. All three soldiers served in Iraq during the initial invasion and then in the occupation operations, retuning early in 2004.

With the support of the Division’s Commander, Major General William Webster, the three soldiers, traveled to Portland, Indiana to be part of the community’s large 4^th of July celebration. They, along with Sgt Schuller’s wife and 4 children and Sgt. Baily’s wife and two children served as parade marshals. Both of the wives said that they were moved to tears by the tremendous welcome and support shown to them by the people along the 1 mile parade route. At the Jay County Fair grounds, following a flag raising program, all three 3^rd Division solders were honored on stage with a standing ovation from the audience as they officially presented desert uniforms they had worn in Iraq to the Museum of the Soldier. The uniforms were immediately placed on exhibit at the Fairgrounds for the rest of the 4^th’s festivities. The uniforms, along with photographs and the soldier’s stories are now on exhibit at the Museum located in Portland.

The Museum of the Soldier, a veteran’s history museum located in Portland, Indiana is currently open week-ends and by appointment. Museum hours are from Noon until 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. The Museum is located at 510 E Arch Street, 4 blocks east of US 27 near downtown Portland The museum highlights the service and sacrifice of the military veteran, through uniforms, photographs, and related items.

Jay County Fairgrounds (July 4, 2003)

The Museum of the Soldier continued its history of providing yet another 4^th of July exhibit that brought visitors to the site throughout the celebration.

This years theme honored 100 years of flight. Noted aircraft Nose Art historian and author Dr. Eugene Gillum presented a fraction of his huge collection of aircraft memorabilia to the viewing public. Included were many pictures from the WW II of the mighty B29 in the Pacific Theater adorned with nose art. In addition many period pictures were on exhibition such as pictures of the Wright Brothers “Flyer” and Charles Lindburg with the “Spirit of St. Louis”. The Korean vets were not to be forgotten as a display of their 50 year history was well received. Uniforms from WW I thru the present Iraq conflict were displayed with A new exhibit of items from Iraq donated to the Museum by Capt. Freel USAF. He has recently returned from the combat area and has provided the latest in gifts to the Museum.