Local Veterans and Their Stories
To preserve the memory and sacrifice of our veterans, the Freedom Museum is dedicated to documenting and sharing the stories of our local veterans, both past and present. Read some of the stories below that we’ve collected so far and check in regularly for new stories highlighting our veterans’ dedication, perseverance, and bravery.
Love is on Full Display at the Freedom Museum
The Freedom Museum street window displays wedding memorabilia from days gone by while staying true to the theme of honoring local residents.
Veteran Stories: Silver Star Medal Recipient Merle Hancock
Local Veteran Merle Hancock became a prisoner of war in World Was II. 70 years later, he was honored with the US Army's Silver Star Medal.
Fighting to the Bitter End, Then Shaking Hands: The End of World War I
Private James W. Keys, a soldier from Prince William County, served in the famous “Wildcat Division” in World War I. He used scraps of paper and a tiny blue notebook to vividly detail his experiences. The following is the last chapter in his diary describing the final hours of the “Great War” as seen through his eyes.
Courage: To Do Your Duty in Spite of Fear
William Baker was a B-24 bombardier and flew 47 missions as a member of the 98th Bomb Group. He was from Norton, Virginia. Baker completed the Army training track for bombardiers before heading for Leece, Italy and the 15th Air Force for duty - read passages from his diary that detail his mission throughout World War II.