Museum director Kathlene Long researched and created the display last winter.

“I’m very proud of it. I got a little bit of help with it, but the timing, and with the other projects we had going on this winter, I did the bulk of the work,” she said. “It was pretty emotional.”

She said trying to find out when they died and what their families were like was difficult at times. She couldn’t even find a date of birth for some of the veterans.

“For some guys I found a lot and felt like you got to know them, and for other guys it’s like they were born, they lived and they’re gone and there’s no record of them. And that breaks my heart,” she said.

Panels at the Iron County Museum show information on the 112 World War II veterans from Iron County who were killed during the war.

As a self-confessed Navy brat, it held a special place in her heart, Long said.

Along with panels that provide some information about each man, there are also binders that have additional information that didn’t fit on the panels. The binders will be available for research.

“One-hundred and twelve guys, for a little county like this, that’s a lot of guys,” she said.

She found a journal made of handmade paper for visitors to sign and share their thoughts about the display. Another volunteer put together some military items from the museum’s collection to go along with the panels. The War Museum of Michigan lent them items, as well as Mary Bjork and the family of Russell Uren.

World War II came to an end on Sept. 2, 1945, when Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu and General Yoshijiro Umezu signed Japan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri.

A military display at the Iron County Museum includes artifacts from individuals.

The display will be up until the end of September. Some of the items in the display will be put in an informal time capsule she hopes will be opened on the 100th anniversary of the end of the war.

“It’s important to honor these men. They truly were the most amazing generation and without them I think our lives would be very, very different today,” she said.

The museum has also updated the Native American display, but more items will be added. She also noted that the rock and mineral display has grown over the years and they plan to add a display explaining the history of the county from a geological standpoint.

Last year they created a timeline, starting from Nick Baumgartner winning a gold medal in the Olympics and traveling backward. The items are on magnets that can be moved around. There is also new display featuring some of the old equipment from WIKB and The Iron Range Amateur Radio Club that has a fully working radio.

“When we have school visits, kids can speak on it and practice Morse Code and stuff,” Long said.

The 10-year plan includes changes to other displays and fixing the roof on the mining memorial, which is expected to cost about $12,000 for materials alone.

After the WWII display is taken down, they will be getting ready for the annual Christmas Tree Galleria from Nov. 29 through Dec. 14. The event, with the theme this year of “Jingle All the Way,” features more than 50 decorated trees, gift basket raffles and special programs.

There are several other events planned. Brews, Brats, Bocce and Bulbs will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, featuring beer from the Alpha Michigan Brewing Company and a build-your-own brat station.

A History Happy Hour on “Homesteading in Iron County” will be presented by Martha Rypstra of Taproot Community Farms from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, in Toti’s Tavern.

Night at the Races with beer from Alpha Michigan Brewing Company, wine, cocktails and finger foods will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. There will be a fun racing event and contests for decorated hats and costumes.

The Iron County Museum features 25 buildings, more than 100 displays and two art galleries spread across more than nine acres. They are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, June through September, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays in August. The business office, gift shop and archives are open year- round from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. They also have special events and special group tours during the off season.

They can be reached at 906-265-2617 or by email at info@ironcountymuseum.org. More information is available on their website at ironcountymuseum.org or their Facebook page.

Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.