The VFW Post 3278 and its auxiliaries presented a $1,000 check to the Brown County Museum of History on Friday.  The check represents proceeds from the recent fundraiser lunch held in support of the Museum of History’s renewed World War II Camp Bowie exhibit gallery.

Currently under renovation, the first phase of the “A Tribute To Those Who Served” exhibit will open September 12, 2015, and is part of the continuing fundraising and revitalization planned for the museum.

“We appreciate so much this donation, because in keeping alive the memories of the veterans of the past, we keep alive the patriotism of the future,” said Beverly Norris, Brown County Museum board member and curator of the Lehnis Railroad Museum.

The exhibit commemorates World War II Camp Bowie, the 36th Division, and the community that rallied behind them, according to museum officials.  A story of heroism is told through the exhibit of the fighting men who took on the seemingly impossible task of defeating an enemy set on world domination.  It also is a story of the devotion of the American people, who rallied behind the troops and their country, working overtime in factories, volunteering with the Red Cross and USO, holding drives to collect scrap metal, living on a ration system that limited food, gasoline and clothing and raising victory gardens to conserve food.  Both the troops and the civilians on the home front were united in their efforts to win the war and conquer tyranny.

This year marks the 75th Anniversary of Camp Bowie in Brownwood, with special events during the week of September 12 -19.

For more information about the museum, the World War II Camp Bowie exhibit or to make a donation, please visit www.browncountymuseum.org.

Pictured above, from left to right are:  (front row) Beverly Norris, Barbara Barrera, Brown County Museum of History Manger Stephanie Ddughdhnemimnier,  VFW Post 3278 Commander James Masters, Dee Denison, Billy Murphey, and (back row) Suzanne Dellis, and Stephanie Reed.