Donations are mounting to help pay for building the Alaska Veterans Memorial Museum.
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Sam Herman Sr. salutes Maj. Gen. Craig E. Campbell, adjutant general for the Alaska National Guard and commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, while U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Bob Goodman look on at a ceremony at the Delaney Park Strip Oct. 18. Herman is one of about 300 surviving members of the Alaska Territorial Guard who were officially given discharge papers and veteran benefits after years of work. About 6,500 Native Alaskans fought in World War II but, until last month, were not given federal discharge or veterans' benefits because Alaska was not a state at the time. Herman was 12 when he joined the guard.
PHOTO BY KELSEA J. VANDEGRIFF
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The next fund-raiser is a prime rib dinner and dance planned for Nov. 13 at the Eagle River Lions Clubhouse.
Though no building site has been selected, Eagle River is one of the most likely places the museum would call home, project supporters have said.
Forest Brooks, secretary of the Alaska Veterans Memorial Museum corporation, first brought up the idea in 2000. Brooks said he had been on a board for a similar museum in Seattle and mentioned the notion to state Rep. Pete Kott, R-Eagle River.
"Representative Kott thought that would be a good idea for Alaska," Brooks said
Kott had his staff work on the idea, establishing a working relationship with VFW Post 9785 in Eagle River. Brooks said in the three years since the progress has been slow but steady.
"We could use a whole lot more people," he said. "We need volunteers."
Anna Fairclough, treasurer for the museum, said although a building is at least a few years out, money is coming in and work is being done.
The board has secured $50,000 for site acquisition from the Alaska Legislature and $10,000 from the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation.
A "virtual museum" is also being planned. That's where stories from veterans would be archived and accessible via computer. A Web site is in its infancy and a quarterly newsletter is planned for next year, Fairclough said.
Museum backers also have begun collecting oral histories from veterans. Rep. Bob Lynn and Eagle River's Hank Warren were two of the first who had their service stories recorded in preparation for archiving.
"It won't just be a collection of stuff," said Brooks, of his vision for the museum. "(It will) tell the story of the veterans themselves. Alaska doesn't really have a major military museum."
Fairclough said the concept is important.
"We just don't have a spot in the state of Alaska that represents veterans," she said. Although monuments have been erected throughout the state, she sees the museum as an educational experience. "It's just a really good project."
Fairclough said she hopes to see something materialize in the next five years.
Because there is not yet a museum to take children to, board members are trying to provide other educational opportunities for local children. One example is the Fan Mail for Troops program, where museum volunteers take cards designed for troops serving overseas to local elementary schools for the children to write to soldiers.
The $50-per-plate prime rib dinner fund-raiser on Nov. 13 begins with cocktails at 6 p.m. at the Eagle River Lions clubhouse. The event will feature an eight-piece swing band, "The Blue Notes."
To coincide with the theme, "Honoring our Veterans," World War II veteran Red Boucher and Maj. Valery Keaveny, Jr., who recently returned from Afghanistan, will address those present.
Ticket price also include a 2005 membership in the museum.
Al Romaszewski, member of the museum board of directors, said he expects a good dinner and great presentations.
Visit www.alaskaveterans.com for more information. Call 694-4702 or 694-4200 for ticket information.
Reach the reporter at greg.dart@alaskastar.com.
