Library hosts WWII display, open house

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With this month’s anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the Moody County Resource Center is showcasing a World War II exhibit from the state that mentions Flandreau.

At Home and Abroad: South Dakota in World War II is a traveling exhibit that talks about the state’s contribution to war efforts and participation in the war. The library will host an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 19 and extends a special invitation to World War II veterans in the area.

The exhibit is sponsored locally by VFW Post 3351.

“We want as many people of all ages from the public who can come,” said Erica Rorvik, librarian. “We’re also going to have a memorial wall for all of the veterans from our county that did service.”

One of the 18 panels on six kiosks mentions the 147th Field Artillery Regiment that included soldiers from Flandreau. They were called to the war in November of 1940, early in the conflict. In South Dakota, 6,000 people served in World War II, about 11 percent of the population. Of those, 1,700 died in battle.

So often, we see the war in the big picture. What I like about the exhibit is it brings it home,” Rorvik said.

The open house won’t have a formal program, but visitors are encouraged to share stories, she said.

Gene Eulert, who was using the library’s computer last week, said he enjoyed looking at the exhibit. “I’m kind of a World War II buff anyway,” he said.