Pennsylvania Military Museum teaches visitors about ‘Life at the Front’ of World War II

BOALSBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — Throughout the weekend, many will gather to celebrate Memorial Day at the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg to honor, remember and educate the public about U.S. Military history.

“For folks that are remembering those aren’t with us anymore because of Memorial Day weekend, we have the monuments that many people will come out, lay flowers at, or of course, wreaths and even just maybe have a moment of silence with their friends and families,” said Tyler Gum, Director of the Pennsylvania Military Museum.

While many celebrate Memorial Day only one day a year, Gum said that for some families, they remember the fallen year-round.

“Perhaps most harrowing and special is that Memorial Day for many of us and across the nation is one day a year,” Gum said. “But Memorial Day for those families is quite literally every single day.”

At the Pennsylvania Military Museum, there are many events to help honor the fallen.

“When you come to the museum, you get a balance of remembrance, but also learning hopefully a little bit about military history and being inspired to live a life that honors that sacrifice,” Gum said.

To help teach about military history, the museum has an event — Life at the Front — that depicts what being on the front lines would have been like in World War II.

“What we hope is that it will give visitors a firsthand perspective on the things that these men carried, how they lived their lives and their daily hardships,” Jared Frederick, a local historian, said.

While many do this as a hobby, some, like Frederick, have a special reason to suit up.

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“I am portraying the division that my grandfather was in during World War II,” Frederick said.

This event runs through Sunday at 3 p.m. and Boalsburg’s Memorial Day celebration will continue throughout the weekend, ending on Monday.

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