Museum exhibit features memorabilia from world wars

The Union County Museum in downtown Cobden plans to open a World War I and World War II exhibit featuring recent acquisitions on Saturday, July 4.

The museum is located at 117 S. Appleknocker.

Museum hours are from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free.

An entire case in the exhibit is filled with military items brought back home by Edward F. Stroehlein.

Stroehlein was stationed in Germany during World War II. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Stroehlein operated the Precision Machine Works in Cobden after the war.

From World War I bunk beds hang numerous military uniforms, including one worn by Richard P. King of Anna.

King was awarded a Bronze Star for heroism while he was serving in the Philippines during World War II.

Also featured in the exhibit is a large Nazi flag signed by American soldiers, along with their addresses.

A Japanese "rising sun" flag brought back home by a local soldier who served during World War II also is on display.

World War II items of Robert Herman French, an uncle of Anna resident Duane Hileman, are on exhibit. French died while fighting in the Philippines.

Numerous items that John E. Graham of Dongola used during World War I are featured, including his dog tags, hat band, mess kit, shaving kit and razor strop, Blue Star flag, soldiers' pay record book and many other items.

Witt Venerable's World War II ration books are displayed, along with other local residents' ration books.

Numerous other items and photographs not previously exhibited will be featured in the exhibit.