Cochran, Musgrove to attend exhibit's opening ceremonies

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
July 3, 2002
U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran and Gov. Ronnie Musgrove are expected to headline opening ceremonies today for a traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibit about World War II.
Others scheduled to attend include current U.S. Reps. Chip Pickering and Ronnie Shows and former U.S. Rep. G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery.
A ribbon cutting and reception is set for dignitaries at 6 p.m. in the Railroad Express Agency next to Union Station. Opening ceremonies are at 6:50 p.m., followed at 7:30 p.m. by a 1940s-style USO show.
On display: "Produce for Victory: Posters on the American Home Front, 1941-1945," an exhibit of 26 reproduced World War II posters organized by the National Museum of American History.
The exhibit formally opens to the public at 10 a.m. Thursday; it closes Aug. 31.
Besides elected officials, also attending the opening ceremonies will be Anna Cohn, director of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit Service program, and Ethel Kelly, the model for the "Rosie the Riveter" posters of World War II.
The exhibit first opened in the state last fall at East Central Community College in Decatur. The exhibit also has visited sites in Petal, Southaven, Tougaloo, Cleveland and Clinton.
The USO show and the opening ceremonies will take place on a stage in the farmer's market parking lot near Union Station. The USO show will feature local talent.
Sandy Bynum, Lauderdale County tourism director, said entertainers will performs songs, comedy and commercials from the World War II era.
She said the show is scheduled to last about an hour and the public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating.
Volunteers have been putting together a local exhibit to compliment "Produce for Victory," including World War II memorabilia contributed by area residents.