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Living Life After 50
November 2023 Hatten Has Been Carting People For The Past Four Years See Page 10
Allen County edition ReAChing FoRt WAyne And SuRRounding CountieS Vol. 36, No. 7
www.seniorlifenewspapers.com
UNVEILING MONUMENT — Tim Schil, left, and Greg Bedford unveil the Civil War Monument. Dedication of the Civil War Monument took place Aug. 7, 2023. This monument is a recent addition to the walk path of history. Photo provided.
Museum triples in size,
By CATHY SHOUSE Feature Writer Visiting the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum is one way to honor veterans this month. There is much more to see this year, since the museum is in a new building, which has tripled in size, expanding to 6,000 square feet. On May 25, the W. Paul Wolf War History Museum held a formal opening and dedication ceremony, and about 400 people attended. Eric Johnson, Second Vice Commander, presented W. Paul Wolf with an engraved plaque dedicating the new museum named in his honor. Wolf, a veteran who served in Korea, was a generous
...honors veterans
donor to the renovations, and his family attended the event. Robert Thomas, the museum curator, is a Sergeant First Class, who retired from The Indiana Army National Guard. He has been a volunteer as well as an employee for four years. “Many people were impressed by the new museum and the display of artifacts,” Thomas said. “The new museum looked great and so impressive in displays. This museum and grounds is impressive and a place that people need to visit.” Since the new museum’s opening, people have been visiting in record numbers, based on how quickly the registration books have been filling up. The facility is accessible, has double the artifacts, and a new offering called Paul’s Café, as well as picnic area. Thomas described the café. “Paul wanted an area where veterans can sit, have coffee and talk with other veterans or guests visiting the museum. Guests may hear some
interesting stories of the service men and women of their time in service and war,” Thomas said. The improvements have been years in the making. “When we decided to build a new museum, it was planned in the fiveyear plan developed in 2020 to the grounds,” Thomas said. “The project was started in 2021. In March of 2022, I had two months to complete the displays and signage with the collections committee.” Numerous volunteers and board members helped to make the dream a reality. New signage was created for the various areas of the museum. Board members Rick Porfilo and Tom Schmitt played key roles, and it took a coordinated effort to complete the ambitious project. “The area signs were developed by Rick, who got background ideas from me and Tom,” Thomas said. “The maps and timeline signs and information were developed by me, except the Civil War was done by Tom. When
the information was completed, Rick Porfilo developed the layout and then it was given to me for final approval. The maps were researched by me, Rick, and Tom. Once the maps were chosen, I added the needed items to be placed on the maps, except the Civil War was done by Tom.” The museum is on 40 acres, located at 2122 O’ Day Road, Fort Wayne, and offers walking trails. Admission is free and donations are appreciated. Outdoor areas are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. It’s available for rental needs. Its mission is, “Where no veteran will ever be forgotten.” For Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, a dedication of the new Korean monument is scheduled for 11 a.m. For more information, visit honoringforever.org or call (260) 267-5022. For Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, a dedication of the new Korean monument is scheduled for 11 a.m.
MUSEUM OPENING — Cindi Marsh, left, a board member for the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum, and Karen Goodman help at the W. Paul Wolf War History Museum opening in May. Photo provided by the museum.