Bravo Company 3/22 takes tour of Standin' Proud Museum

Members of the Bravo Company 3/22 at Standin’ Proud Veterans Tribute Museum in Bartelso    Members of Bravo Company 3/22 fourth and 25th Infantry Divisions got to see some military history on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
    The Bravo Company had its reunion Tuesday through Thursday, Oct. 20-22 in St. Rose. As part of the reunion, the company took a tour of the Standin' Proud Veterans Tribute Museum in Bartelso on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The tour was led by owner Carl Huels and museum administrator Larissa Monken.
    There were participants from 11 different states involved in last week's reunion.
Bravo Company 3/22 members (from left) Curtis McFarland, Mike Detmer and Ken Neveaux speak during a trip to Standin' Proud Veterans Tribute Museum in Bartelso. Photos by Matt Wilson    Standin' Proud Veterans Tribute Museum is filled with historical artifacts and memorabilia from past wars and has a mission to honor and share the stories of local veterans.
    The museum's main display focus is World War I, World War II and the Korean Conflict. 
    The tour started with Monken showing the group the "Standin' Proud" Ford truck. It is painted with names of U.S. military personnel who died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Names registered with the United States Department of Defense are the names used for the truck. 
   The truck features the name of Clinton County veteran Josh Melton, who died in Iraq. The truck is the centerpiece of the museum.
    Everything in the museum is connected to a local story. The tour continued with explanations of artifacts that are in the room with the truck.
    The group then went into the room that features a remembrance of the Holocaust, Korean War and World War II to watch videos and documentaries.
   Infantry member Mike Detmer then led a discussion that also included members Ken Neveaux and Curtis McFarland. Detmer, Neveaux and McFarland shared war stories.