VFW Post 3278 along with the Ladies’ and Men’s Auxiliaries presented a donation of $1,000 to the Brown County Museum of History on Friday.  Funds are being raised to renovate the Camp Bowie military exhibit at the museum.

Pictured above are members of the VFW and its auxiliaries with members of the Brown County Museum board.

Brown County Museum Board President Beverly Norris received the donation Friday.

“This is very impressive to receive a donation of $1,000,” said Norris, who stated that the donation came from a fundraiser fish fry the VFW and its auxiliaries held last Friday.

The museum is planning an improved and expanded military exhibit for 2015, which will mark the 75th anniversary of Camp Bowie.  Eight divisions trained at Camp Bowie during World War II, among them, the famous 36th Division which was made up largely of Brown County men.  They were the first American division on the continent of Europe and liberated Southern France from the Nazis and were one of the most decorated divisions of the entire war.

Their heroism will be honored in this new exhibit, along with a series of events in September 2015 to commemorate the 75th anniversary entitled, “A Tribute to Those Who Served.”

“You can tell how proud we are of the military artifacts in the museum.  We want to really make this a showplace,” said Norris.  She explained that the museum has recently received some new donations that will be a part of the exhibit as it is expanded including World War II videos and medals of local heroes (including those of Colonel Jack Bradley, a WWII Fighter Ace).

VFW Commander Keith King stated the group’s appreciation for the museum’s preservation work in honor of the military and its history in Brown County.

“Thank you for all you do to showcase the military here,” said King.  “We want to thank the community for supporting us so that we could support the museum.”

For more information about making a contribution or donating items, please contact the Brown County Museum of History by calling 325-641-1426 or Beverly Norris 325-647-7879.

Pictured from left to right are museum board VFW members as the donation was presented:   Brown County Museum Manager Patty Bays, Ken Harris, VFW Commander Keith King, Billy Murphey, Brown County Museum Board President Beverly Norris, James Masters, James Roller, VFW Jr. Commander Chad Brown, Ladies’ Auxiliary President Jane Masters and Brown County Museum Board Treasurer Myrna Wright.