Every Veteran Has a Story

Perry County museum illustrates community’s military history

Jim Lawrence, left, and Lloyd Lintner socialize during a picnic hosted by members of the The Perry County Military History Museum Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, at the City Park in Perryville. Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian

He was a member of the Navy. She worked at a law office.

He was stationed on a ship headed for Vietnam when he received a telegram: “Birth. Daughter. Mother and daughter fine.” She delivered their first child.

A memorial is seen during a picnic hosted by members of the The Perry County Military History Museum Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, at the City Park in Perryville. TYLER GRAEF ~ tgraef@semissourian.com

Decades later, the couple still keeps that military history alive through curating exhibits at the Perry County Military History Museum in Perryville, Missouri. Curator Carlene Rauh and assistant curator and Vietnam veteran John Rauh manage exhibits, collect artifact donations and lead tours at the Perryville museum.

The military museum initially began as part of the Perry County Museum in the city’s park before the county’s collective military history began to outgrow its home, Carlene says. When the city’s mayor offered a space on the St. Mary of the Barrens Seminary Campus for a military-exclusive museum, the curators say they jumped on the location.

A memorial is seen during a picnic hosted by members of the The Perry County Military History Museum Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, at the City Park in Perryville. TYLER GRAEF ~ tgraef@semissourian.com

The museum opened its doors on Veteran’s Day 2012, just six months after it began the move from its former location in the park.

Now, visitors can stop by the museum on the second floor of the Higher Education Building, where it has expanded to not only include a gallery of local military exhibits but an aviation-focused room, as well. As notable aviator Charles Lindbergh often stopped in Perryville to give airplane rides, John says, information on him as well as other Perry County pilots is included in the museum.

Mostly volunteer-funded and staffed, the museum relies on residents’ donations for new exhibits.

One of the museum’s featured exhibits is a kiosk filled with photos and names documenting some 1,950 Perry County residents who served in the military. A donation by the Rotary Club and an expanding project, Carlene says this part of the museum is a favorite among visitors.

“It seems to be one of our biggest draws, especially with the young kids who come in,” Carlene says. “They want to see if they have any family members there.”

Perry County residents also donate documents, photographs and clothing to the museum, all illustrating a long history of military service. Exhibits feature war artifacts ranging from the Civil War to current conflicts and contain anything from original letters to weapons to foreign currency.

One featured item is an original Civil War militia roster, donated by a resident who found the document tucked away in their attic. It was restored by the State Historic Preservation Office, Carlene says, and sealed in Mylar to protect the historic document.

Among historic memorabilia, the museum also offers a model of a World War II battlefield, created by a local 9-year-old and composed entirely of Legos.

Veteran volunteers such as purple heart recipient Dale Monier lead visitors through the military museum.

Monier entered the military immediately following his high school graduation in 1967. Following his service in Vietnam, Monier says he returned to a country unhappy with the war and says working at the museum has been a healing experience for him.

“I think it’s honestly made me a better person; I’m not as bitter,” Monier says. Through greeting visitors, explaining the history of the museum and answering questions, he says he has not only gained a better perspective but a better appreciation for preserving military history, as well.

“I really do enjoy history,” Monier says. “After being in the service, it really changed it for me.”

In addition to interacting with visitors, Monier also has coffee with fellow Vietnam veterans every Tuesday at Missouri’s National Veteran’s Memorial in Perryville. Monier also attended a Sept. 28 veterans’ picnic hosted by the military museum.

Many of the items also feature a personal element — the focus is on families and a local connection, Carlene says.

“When people talk about the military, they sometimes forget the families,” Carlene says. “Families serve too, in a different way.”

The Rauhs kept the original telegram to recall the experience of their child’s birth during John’s military service. For the couple, it’s important to remember all military history and especially the history that is local.

“Every veteran has a story,” John says.