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.
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.
Artifact Analysis: The Stories Behind the Art
During the World Wars, many new ways of creating art and photography came about to portray what battle and being on the front lines was really like. Check out the harrowing and brave stories behind three of the museum’s pieces and visit us to see many more.
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.