WNMU WORLD WAR II EXHIBIT TO HONOR LOCAL VETERANS

            SILVER CITY, N.M. – Over 1,000 veterans of the Second World War die each day. At this rate, the three million living American veterans remaining of what is referred to as the greatest generation are soon to become part of history themselves.  The Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Museum will celebrate them in an upcoming summer exhibition entitled “Memories of World War II.”

            The exhibition will showcase area veterans such as past State Representative Thomas P. Foy, who as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the Army survived the Bataan Death March and Japanese prison camps.  A number of his personal belongings will be on display. 

            “Through our exhibit, the WNMU Museum hopes to capture the histories and memories of our local WWII veterans to share with visitors and community members,” indicated Phillip Cave, Acting Museum Services manager and WWII Exhibition Co-Curator.

            Other Grant County locals loaning items for the collection are Dorothy Bumann Blalock, WNMU Professor Emeritus of Economics; and Dr. Felipe de Ortego y Gasca, WNMU Scholar in Residence.  Blalock loaned the uniform she wore while serving as a member of W.A.V.E.S., United States Naval Reserves, while Marine Veteran Ortego y Gasca loaned several items from his personal collection. 

            For WNMU Museum employees this temporary exhibit is a labor of love to honor the service of local WWII veterans.  “When a World War II veteran dies, his or her history, stories, and memories are lost with them,” Cave added. 

            The exhibit, funded by student fees from the Associated Students of WNMU, is scheduled to open on June 2 and run through September 30 in the second floor of the WNMU Museum.  Museum hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  For more information, or to contribute to the collection, call 575-538-6386, or email cavep@wnmu.edu or berryj1@wnmu.edu.

Pictured in this 1941 photo is Thomas P. Foy at far left along with John M. Vickery, First Sergeant; and Earl R. Harris, Supply Sergeant, during a stay in the Philippines. 

Located in Silver City, New Mexico, Western New Mexico University has served the people of the state of New Mexico and its surrounding areas as a comprehensive, regional, rural, public coeducational university since 1893 and caters to a student body diverse in age, culture, language and ethnic background. 

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