ITOW (In Their Own Words) a new Veterans' Museum set to open Friday, Aug. 4 in Perham, MN, is "like a dream come true," says Perham VFW member Syd MacLean.
The museum, which will emphasize the experiences of veterans and others affected by wars, has been a longtime priority of MacLean and others in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4020. MacLean, a disabled U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War and before, was commander of the post during three of the years in which the ITOW concept took shape. He recently completed his last term. It is extremely satisfying, he stressed, to anticipate the museum's opening as one of the results of the post's efforts.
MacLean and other members of the Post wanted a way in which veterans and others affected by wars could relate their experiences "in their own words" on professional video and audio recordings. To help make this dream come true they worked enthusiastically with Lina Belar, director of the History Museum of East Otter Tail County and now the director of the ITOW project.
"We went from the point of talking about it to doing something about it," MacLean said, giving special credit to the late Sherman Mandt, a post member and a World War II Battle of the Bulge veteran. "VFW Post 4020 voted unanimously to do this."
To begin, MacLean noted, they started interviewing area veterans, making professional video and audio recordings. Space was limited in the History Museum to create additional displays so VFW Post 4020 voted unanimously to have its entire Post Headquarters, at 805 West Main Street, Perham renovated as a full-scale museum.
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The 12,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will feature interpretive exhibits, audio commentaries, re-dramatizations of war and pre-war events, and interactive identity kiosks. One gallery will seat 250 people and has the potential of hosting meetings, lectures and traveling exhibits.
By set agreement, the building will always be home to VFW Post 4020. MacLean noted that a new meeting space has been created for this purpose. It will also always be open to the VFW Auxiliary, the American Legion and Auxiliary, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and other local American military organizations at no cost, he added.
Like many who have been active with ITOW, MacLean is most enthusiastic about the "in their own words" videos and recordings.
He emphasized that he feels it is important that subsequent generations know what veterans and others experienced and sacrificed because of the wars in which they were involved. He continued that he feels it is important these subsequent generations hear the veterans and others tell about it in their own words.
"Kids today don't know how much freedom costs," he said. And, he emphasized, "I hope it inspires others."
Perham, population 2,700, is located on U.S. Highway 10 in West Central Minnesota, approximately 190 miles northwest of Minneapolis, and less than 1? hours southeast of Fargo.
The museum will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Admission cost will be $4 per person. Veterans will be admitted free. To learn more about the project call 218-346-7678 or email museum@eot.com or check it out on the web at www.ITOWmuseum.org
