Thursday, January 12, 2017

National World War II Museum New Orleans - Day 11

Today was the big day at the WWII Museum. I could barely sleep thinking about that and about Mom. She was so pleased, even astonished, that they wanted her handbag. I wish I could have done this before she passed away but I also feel it was more important to be with her than to do this. Even though other things happened today I am not going to mention them. Today is about Mom and her service and the donations to the museum.

As we entered the building we could see this sidewalk and pathway of many bricks with names on them, that alone is emotional. This is the Road to Victory Brick Program, which continued inside as well. Later I asked about this program and a nice lady gave me the information. I asked if I got a brick would they send a photo of it, but no, they don’t do that. I decided I would probably still do it and hope to come back and look at it one day. I want to add that while I browsed the gift shop the same lady (Nancy) found me, gave me her card, and said she volunteers on Thursday’s. If I call the cell number on her card, she would take a photo of the brick and mail it to me. I was so grateful. I am going to look into doing this for both Mom and Uncle Buz. So of course, this is all very emotional. In addition, the volunteer we met outside told me to go see the man in the red shirt a he is a WWII veteran and I could shake his hand, we did. What a personal place this big facility is!  

There is the museum of course with a movie that plays periodically, an enthralling gift shop, and 40’s themed snack bar. Across the street there is a huge theater, it is unclear to me at the moment what goes on there but at times they do have themed shows pertaining to the WWII era at least. Those who know me know that shopping is not my “thing” but a military gift shop is pretty special. We got there early for our appointment so we browsed the gift shop, while they made a call Toni Kiser. She was also ready to see us early and met us at the counter. It happens that her office was being renovated so we used a little area on the side of the entrance counter. At first I thought that was not very personal for such an event and it even seemed awkward but I was wrong. When I opened the box with the handbag and other items, it drew a crowd of volunteers to see what treasures I had. Of course, Toni knew ahead of time that I had Mom’s Army handbag and they did indeed want that. We agreed in a previous phone call I would bring a few other things to see if she wanted them as well. Inside the handbag is what appeared to be a little wallet of sorts with her name stamped on it. It also held a mirror and two dog tags; Mom’s and Uncle Buz’s. Oh boy, it was emotional talking about Mom and then telling them about her brother. It brought back such memories of how close they were all their lives. I shared a little bit about the many Glos cousins who all served during WWII. We sat and thumbed through two albums that belonged to Uncle Buz and they did want both of those. Some photographs were not even on pages, but they wanted them anyway. They also wanted the Vmail sent to Mom from Uncle Buz, a postcard from her cousin Elton serving in Italy at the time, a personal letter Mom wrote to her friend Freda in Rutherford, a ration book with stamps, and actually they wanted everything I brought but the patches. Mom told me the patches were a little collection and when other passed through they would trade them off and save them. Apparently, the museum has plenty of those. One of the volunteers watching was stunned to see a patch that would have been one his father wore! He said he had been looking for one of them for a long time so I gave it to him. He was so grateful and came over to us several times to say how much he appreciated it. I told him I was sure my Mom would be happy for him to have it. About the 3rd time he came over to thank us he said he figured out that his father’s unit had passed through Fort Oglethrope, GA at some point before going overseas and that must have been how Mom came to have the patch. It just made me very happy to know this man will treasure it.

As Toni filled out the donation paperwork one thing they asked for was Mom’s ending rank.  I did not know. I told Toni I would send a copy of Mom’s discharge papers so they can list her final rank on the items that are displayed. I hope I have Uncle Buz’s too but I am not sure of that. She did not ask for Mom’s obituary, life story, or anything like that but I thought I put it in the box, it was not there so I will also send that later. She said it will take 6-8 weeks to receive a written confirmation and thank you for the donation. She did give me a receipt today for everything donated. Uncle Buz’s items were donated in Mom’s name. It just seemed easier.

There were a couple gentleman sitting at a table with their own personal items. I asked if I could take their photo and the older of the two said only if I give them a hug too. Of course! The younger man was also in WWII but in addition to his items he was there displaying his brother's Purple Heart. I don't think I have ever seen one in person and touched it. It was an amazing day. 

I am sure I will want to add more to this blog but right now I just want to post it and relax for the rest of the evening. It is almost 10p here and I was up at 7a so I am bushed. What a day, only wish I could call Mom and tell her about it. I will be posting photos to FB as well.  

I think Mom's items will be  in the Women in WWII Collection.










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