The Fannin County Veterans Museum has several new pieces on display thanks to some donors.
New items include a U.S. Coast Guard rescue basket and sling, a framed World War II unit photo, a collection of World War II and Vietnam War books, and photos and documents that belonged to a World War II veteran.
Retired Coast Guard Senior Chief Rescue Swimmer Joey Gryzenia donated the rescue basket and sling.
“Prior to this, the only Coast Guard items in our collection were a pair of vintage coveralls and Chief Mac’s uniform, so this rescue basket is a huge addition to our collection,” Museum Curator Trevor McIntyre said. “We had it on display next to the Huey during the Veterans Day Ceremony, and one young man got to climb inside it and check it out.”
The folks at Habitat for Humanity of Fannin & Gilmer Counties ReStore donated the World War II unit painting.
“Jeanette (McTaggart, ReStore manager) told me that they found something they wanted to give us in honor of Veterans Day, and we were astonished to discover it was this beautiful Navy painting from 1966 entitled ‘Homecoming of Destroyer Squadron 24’ by artist Joe DeThomas,” McIntyre said. “On the bottom left of the painting, the artist inscribed: ‘Homecoming of Destroyer Squadron 24 from Vietnam 4/6/66 Newport, Rhode Island.’”
The photo is currently on the wall above the display case next to the double doors.
“If all of these donations weren’t great enough, we then received a collection of books from Mr. John Parrot, a Vietnam veteran,” McIntyre said. “John said he had some books he wanted to give us, so we met him at the veterans center one afternoon. It turns out those books were actually two complete sets of books about World War II and the Vietnam War that added up to 53 books in total.
“Our bookshelf next to the meeting room is full, so we put all of these books on the shelf back in the office if anyone would like to look through them. They are full of incredible pictures, and are quite an addition to our library.”
The museum is located next to the Fannin County Veterans Memorial Park beside Fannin County Middle School at 4584 Veterans Memorial Highway in Blue Ridge.
No open houses are currently scheduled, but anyone who’d like to visit the museum may contact McIntyre at B29Gunner25@hotmail.com.