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New museum stands as tribute to WWII vets

Local history buff turns passion into treasure

Visitors to the opening ceremony of the World War II museum in Germantown salute as members of the 101st Airborne Living History Team pass by with the U.S. flag Friday, May 8.

Staff photo by Pat Auckerman Visitors to the opening ceremony of the World War II museum in Germantown salute as members of the 101st Airborne Living History Team pass by with the U.S. flag Friday, May 8.

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By Rick McCrabb, Columnist 2:26 AM Saturday, May 9, 2009

GERMANTOWN — Nine months ago, when she married David Shortt, a retired Army chief warrant officer and Middletown police officer, Brenda Shortt knew about his “extra baggage.”

“He collected this stuff long before he knew me,” she said. “This is something that he really enjoys. It’s like his second life.”

On Friday, May 8 — the 64th anniversary of the Victory in Europe Day — Shortt displayed his passion for the military, and it received rave reviews from veterans, those he respects the most.

The first floor of the former Masonic building, 123 S. Main St., was unveiled and dedicated to World War II. Shortt has been working countless hours with the support of a board of directors and fellow historians and veterans to fill the 10,000-square-foot museum space.

After a short ceremony, Shortt walked around the museum and greeted veterans, many of whom he knew by name, rank and serial number.

“This is for all the veterans,” said Shortt, who has a degree in history. “There are a lot of heroes in this room right now.”

He said the museum is “all about honor and sacrifice,” then added, “it’s the right thing to do.”

The opening ceremony was attended by many local WWII veterans — some who needed walkers or wheelchairs and others who walked with a limp — who were fascinated by the museum.

They pointed to the displays — some of their donated belongings — read their bios, and posed for pictures with fellow veterans and family members.

It was like watching Babe Ruth tour the Baseball Hall of Fame.

When the colors were presented during the ceremony, everyone stood, and the veterans removed their hats and placed their hands over their hearts. Tears filled their eyes.

Bill Wilch of Middletown landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. Wilch donated many items to the museum and he called Shortt “the best friend” of all WWII veterans. Later, he called Shortt “the real deal.”

Joseph “Jay” Holman of Middletown said Shortt, the curator, and the board of directors did a “wonderful job” with the museum.

Viola Treadway, who served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, was married to the late Allen Treadway, who served from 1941 to 1946. She said the museum will serve as a great educational tool for generations to come.

Shortt said he will continue to work on the museum, which will eventually feature items from the Revolutionary War to the War on Terrorism. It will also have a library and an auditorium, where students can come on field trips.

Wilch was so impressed, he wants to sleep in the museum, soak up the history.

“When you stand in here,” he said, “you get the feeling the walls are talking to you.”

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