Meridian residents praise exhibit

By By Chris Whitaker / staff writer
July 5, 2002
The thing that impressed the Rev. Paul LeBlanc the most at a traveling Smithsonian Institution World War II exhibit was the vivid display of patriotism.
LeBlanc was one of more than 200 people who visited the exhibit on its opening Thursday. "Produce for Victory: Posters on the American Home Front 1941-1945" runs through Aug. 31.
The exhibit features 26 reproduced World War II posters organized by the National Museum of American History. It also includes a display of local World War II artifacts.
Euna and Harold Pratt of Meridian couldn't wait to visit the exhibit. Euna rated it good and said "it all brought back memories from that age."
Harold, who served in World War II, said the exhibit showed that women were taking care of the home front while he and other men were fighting.
Dorothy Shank of Meridian liked the fact that she recognized people in some of the pictures. She said seeing a gasoline ration book immediately brought back memories.
LeBlanc said the exhibit was a learning experience for him and his two daughters, Aerlice, 7, and Sabra, 5. The girls said they liked looking at the antiques and pictures.