The Keirn Family World War II Museum

THE KEIRN FAMILY WORLD WAR II MUSEUM AT SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY SALUTES AMERICA’S VETERANS On this Veterans Day 2020, we gratefully salute the veterans of our armed forces. We look with pride to the great patriots of the Revolutionary War who fired the shot heard round the world," and won a legacy of freedom to be cherished and defended by later generations of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. ... We are honored to commemorate, in particular, the service and sacrifices of our veterans of wars of more recent memory. May God bless them, as we thank them, for placing nation above self, and liberty above life.

The Keirn Family World War II Museum at Saint Francis University announces new hours The Keirn Family World War II Museum is pleased to announce new hours for visitors beginning the week of November 9, in honor of Veterans Day.... Reservation Policy: Please note that public health restrictions on group gatherings require us to welcome our guests on a reservation only basis. Contact information: To request a reservation, please contact the museum by email at: [email protected]. We will get back to you to confirm your reservation. Hours: For the remainder of 2020, reservations may be made for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons through December 17 (excepting Thanksgiving Day) during the following hours: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 2:10 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. 3:20 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. Groups: We are happy to welcome individuals as well as small groups of four or fewer visitors. Location: The museum is located on Saint Mary Street in Loretto, just across from Smithmyer’s market. Extensive revisions of the museum’s exhibitions were recently completed. Approximately 80% of the museum exhibits now on display were developed within the past twelve months. These include: a. An illustrated summary of key events, 1941-1945. b. Uniforms of the US Army and US Navy, featuring several uniforms from the Keirn WWII collection that are on display for the first time. c. An expanded display on The Psychology of Wartime Propaganda. d. A salute to American heroes of World War II. e. National Identity and Military Culture during World War II, a major interpretive exhibition that features a wide variety of American and German artifacts from the Keirn collection, including medals; military insignia and regalia; flags; edged weapons; and poster art. Local WWII Veterans featured in exhibits. The new exhibits include material pertaining to numerous local veterans of World War II, including: Ed Lipnic of Carrolltown; Martha Grace Deihl of Cresson; Michael Zupon of Patton; John Muldoon of Lilly; and William Dibert of Altoona, in addition to four local Army Rangers who are commemorated in the June 6, 1944 Room. Selected photographs are provided with this announcement. We look forward to welcoming you to the museum to see all of the new exhibitions! Best wishes, Steve Rombouts Director of the Keirn Family World War II Museum Saint Francis University

The Keirn Family World War II Museum at Saint Francis University commemorates Independence Day, July 4, 2020 _______________________________________________... It is with gratitude and pride that the Keirn Family World War II Museum at Saint Francis University commemorates the approval of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. That act of courage and vision provided the foundation of an exceptional nation of such nobility of purpose as the world has never seen before or since. Guided by Providence, the United States of America would establish A New Order of the Ages and advance the cause of human dignity more than any other nation in history. Americans would improve the lives of more people than had ever been achieved, and commit themselves to the liberation of people from tyranny around the world even at the cost of their own lives. And the United States of America would raise the hopes of the hopeless to more lofty heights than had ever been thought possible. And so, on this two-hundred forty-fourth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, let us give thanks to God, and to the heroic Founders of Our Nation whose courage and faith made it possible for us, today, to celebrate this most important national holiday in freedom and fraternity.

THE KEIRN FAMILY WORLD WAR II MUSEUM at SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY remembers D-DAY . . . JUNE 6, 1944. The American-led invasion of France on D-Day was the beginning of the end of the four-year German occupation of western Europe that followed Germany’s victory over the combined French and British forces in May and June of 1940. The first day of Operation Overlord, as the invasion of France was designated, involved the landing of more than a hundred thousand soldiers on the coa...st of Normandy, and would lead to the defeat of Germany and the liberation of western Europe less than a year later. The Keirn Family World War II Museum salutes the courage and sacrifice of all of our soldiers, sailors, and airmen who served on D-Day, with special recognition of four local men who distinguished themselves while serving with U.S. Army Ranger units at Pointe du Hoc in Normandy: Alexander Barber of Johnstown; Sheldon Bare of Altoona; Vincent Hagg of Tyrone; and Jack Kuhn of Altoona.