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CROWDS VISIT THE “Salute to Veterans” AT THE PHOTO ARCHIVES & HISTORY CENTER PHOTO EXHIBIT W submitted By: Plant City Photo Archives & History Center
hen the winds of war swept across the country, Plant City residents responded by volunteering by the hundreds. The draft called many more, and the city streetscape changed almost overnight. The years 1941 through 1945 saw the young men and a number of young women called to serve their country in various branches of military service. They served across the continental United States, in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Far East, on the ground, at sea, and in the air. Years later, most, but not all of them, returned.
In 2005, 60 years after the close of World War II, in recognition of their service, the Plant City Photo Archives collected hundreds of photographs of area veterans and established the “Salute to Veterans” photo exhibit. By 2010, the collection has expanded to include veterans from all eras, and not only photos, but many vets contributed stories about their experiences, plus maps, and clippings. On November 11, 2005, the Photo Archives opened its first public showing of the “Salute to Veterans” exhibit and the Open House that day drew hundreds of local and regional citizens to honor their veterans. In the following year, on Saturday, November 11, 2006, over 350 visitors viewed the exhibit, and many of them poured onto the street to cheer and welcome the Plant City National Guard troops as they returned from active duty in Kuwait and Iraq, and their buses were escorted through downtown en route to the Armory. This year, on Saturday, November 6, 2010, the Photo Archives & History Center held its sixth annual Open House to display the “Salute to Veterans” exhibit. Several hundred visitors enjoyed the exhibit, which featured nearly 600 photos of area veterans – in 8x10s, enlargements up to 3’x4’, and 4’x10’ vinyl banners. The guests also enjoyed the piano music of Mrs. Vonell Browning, coffee donated by Starbucks, and pastries donated by Publix
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and Sweet Bay Super Markets. The Host Committee included James “Sonny” Jones, Hubert Snapp, Ann Owens, Jean Weaver, Glen and Judy Johnson, and Carl Dekle, a WWII vet and an ex-Marine, in his full dress blues.
The “Salute to Veterans” Exhibit has been one of the most popular exhibits at the Photo Archives and will remain on display through Saturday, January 8, 2011. In past years, relatives of veterans whose photos are on display have come from across the country to visit family, and to visit the veterans exhibit. Veterans from the Plant City area and those now living in the area are invited to submit their photos to the Photo Archives for its collection and for future exhibit. Unless donated, the photos are not retained; they are scanned and returned. For further information contact the Photo Archives & History Center at 106 South Evers Street in downtown Plant City, or call the office at 813.754.1578. To view the web site, go to www. plantcityphotoarchives.org.