Kingsville Military Museum holds grand reopening

By Mark Ribble

KINGSVILLE — The Kingsville Military Museum had humble beginnings 45 years ago when a number of Legionnaires from Branch 188 had a meeting on the memorabilia that the branch possessed.

From that a semi-trailer was brought in as a mobile museum and the Kingsville Military Museum was born.

In 1992, an old warehouse on the Legion property was refurbished to make space for the museum, which remained there for the next several years.

In 2000, a new building was constructed to house the museum.

Fast forward another 21 years and the Kingsville Military Museum has undergone another transformation with building renovations and reorganization of the displays through the hard work of a team of volunteers.

BOB LYNCH

Director Bob Lynch spoke to those in attendance at the grand reopening held Saturday, Oct. 16, telling the story of how the museum came about and thanking the volunteers who made this happen.

Throughout the halls of the building are displays of hundreds of area soldiers and their military memorabilia, from pay books, to uniforms, weapons, medals and pins. The ode to these soldiers is something to behold as you walk through the museum. The stories told by their displays leave you with a sense of being there.

Veteran Maurice Snook’s daughter, Mary Maureen, got up to speak on behalf of her late father, who was a founding member of the museum.

“This was a safe place for him to share his stories and memories,” she said.

Her father was never much for sharing his stories of the war, but Mary Maureen said the museum brought out those memories and she was grateful for that.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, guests were invited inside to view the newly renovated museum.