thedrifter
10-31-08, 08:04 AM
Museum receives relics
Friday, October 31, 2008
By TED LaBORDE
tlaborde@repub.com
WESTFIELD - A piece of Marine Corps history from World War II was preserved on Thursday with a donation of uniforms, personal papers and souvenirs.
The collection came from the family of the late Anthony J. Jeneral, who served in the Pacific theater in 1942-46.
"The Marine Corps was always a big part of his life, and our family wanted to preserve some of his things," James J. Jeneral of Sharon said as he and other relatives made the donation to Westfield Athenaeum's Edwin Smith Museum.
"My father was a Marine's Marine; he loved the corps," said Jeneral, a leatherneck veteran himself. "Many of these items were found after my father died in 1978, and we just want to share some of this history with others. Let the public see where some places involved in World War II are located."
James Jeneral was joined by his mother, Dorothy, and brothers, Jack and Eugene "Jinks," in making the donation.
Athenaeum historian Robert T. Brown said the Jeneral collection will join others donated by Westfield veterans and their families in the Edwin Smith Museum during a Veterans Day display through November.
The museum is open on Thursdays and Saturdays.
"We have many items ranging from uniforms to pictures and service records from Westfield veterans," said Brown. "Most of the items are from Marines. Everything is put on display in the museum each November in honor of Veterans Day."
Anthony Jeneral served in Tsingtao, China, during the war, and was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific theater ribbon, the American defense ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal, the China Service Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. His decorations are part of the display.
Donald E. Wielgus, a past commander of the city's Marine Corps League chapter, who coordinated the Jeneral donation, said "the veterans' display in the museum is very appropriate because we will celebrate the Marine Corps birthday on Nov. 10, followed immediately by Veterans Day and our annual parade here on Nov. 11."
(The Marine Corps was founded on Nov. 10, 1775, at the Tun Tavern in Philadelphia).
Ellie
Friday, October 31, 2008
By TED LaBORDE
tlaborde@repub.com
WESTFIELD - A piece of Marine Corps history from World War II was preserved on Thursday with a donation of uniforms, personal papers and souvenirs.
The collection came from the family of the late Anthony J. Jeneral, who served in the Pacific theater in 1942-46.
"The Marine Corps was always a big part of his life, and our family wanted to preserve some of his things," James J. Jeneral of Sharon said as he and other relatives made the donation to Westfield Athenaeum's Edwin Smith Museum.
"My father was a Marine's Marine; he loved the corps," said Jeneral, a leatherneck veteran himself. "Many of these items were found after my father died in 1978, and we just want to share some of this history with others. Let the public see where some places involved in World War II are located."
James Jeneral was joined by his mother, Dorothy, and brothers, Jack and Eugene "Jinks," in making the donation.
Athenaeum historian Robert T. Brown said the Jeneral collection will join others donated by Westfield veterans and their families in the Edwin Smith Museum during a Veterans Day display through November.
The museum is open on Thursdays and Saturdays.
"We have many items ranging from uniforms to pictures and service records from Westfield veterans," said Brown. "Most of the items are from Marines. Everything is put on display in the museum each November in honor of Veterans Day."
Anthony Jeneral served in Tsingtao, China, during the war, and was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific theater ribbon, the American defense ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal, the China Service Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. His decorations are part of the display.
Donald E. Wielgus, a past commander of the city's Marine Corps League chapter, who coordinated the Jeneral donation, said "the veterans' display in the museum is very appropriate because we will celebrate the Marine Corps birthday on Nov. 10, followed immediately by Veterans Day and our annual parade here on Nov. 11."
(The Marine Corps was founded on Nov. 10, 1775, at the Tun Tavern in Philadelphia).
Ellie