Allamakee County Veterans Museum dedicated ...
After two years of planning, organizing and preparation, the Allamakee County Veterans Museum was dedicated and opened Saturday, May 28 in a brief ceremony held at the new museum housed in the former Vet’s Club on Allamakee Street in Waukon, with many in attendance at the outdoor ceremony and for the first viewing open to the general public, as evident in The Standard photos above and below by Joe Moses. Following the Pledge of Allegiance to kick off the ceremony, Allamakee County Historical Society Board of Directors President George Beardmore noted he was honored to have the flag raising for the dedication event take place on the flag pole dedicated in honor of his father, Glenn Beardmore, and former Waukon Mayor Robert White, both of whom were WWII Veterans. He also thanked U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Ryan, son of Jim and Linda Ryan of Waukon, for donating both an American Flag that had been flown over the Pentagon and a POW/MIA Flag for the dedication ceremony and further display in the Veterans Museum. In regard to the museum, Beardmore noted, “The Society is honored to have been entrusted with this task and the opportunity to establish this museum with the support of the Veterans organizations in Allamakee County... the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors... and the citizens of Allamakee County.”
Allamakee County Historical Society Board of Directors member John Bauercamper shared the Society’s mission statement for the museum: “The charge to the Historical Society is to operate a museum to preserve, display and study the military service and history of Allamakee County in particular, and the state and nation in general, with a focus on the contributions of the veterans of Allamakee County. We take that obligation very seriously and we try and use all the exhibits inside to tie those to the citizens of Allamakee County who have served and sacrificed. We are particularly proud of their service.”
Allamakee County Historical Society Board of Directors member Marcia Rush then presented Bauercamper and his wife, Marian, with an award of appreciation for their dedication and contributions to the new museum project, noting all the time and effort John put into the project. Bauercamper was quick to share that appreciation with all who were involved in the project, noting “this is a project that couldn’t have happened without everyone’s support, and we’ve had so much support from the community and everyone else involved.” Bauercamper gave specific credit to Vietnam Veteran Carl Johnson of Waukon, who he said not only contributed a great deal of memorabilia for the museum displays but also advice and, perhaps most importantly, the courage to undertake the project in the first place.
Open hours for the Allamakee County Veterans Museum throughout this summer will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The museum will also be open by appointment as arranged.
