Kentucky curator keeps veterans stories alive with museum

WICKLIFFE Ky. (KBSI) – Although D-day has passed, one Kentucky woman tells us everyday is still a great day to honor those who have served for our country.

Sandy Hart is curator of the Kentucky Veteran and Patriot Museum. A museum that might seem small on the outside ,but it holds decades of legendary stories of many veterans. She says the museum was culminated over a decade ago, after a trip to the capitol took place in 2004 to honor veterans. It was then, that those men knew sandy has the gift to carry their stories.

“…And from that point on, veterans started bringing me stuff to the house. Our house was like a maze of buckets and boxes of all of their belongings.” Hart said.

Since the start of the museum, veterans like Earl Gidcome, Dale Faughn, and Albert Wess have visited, where they share stories of the time they served. Politicians from near and far could also be seen visiting; over the years, and not to talk politics, but to simply honor those who have served and observe the uniqueness the Kentucky museum has to offer.

According to Hart, “They plan to stay for half an hour and they stay for 3 hours, 4 hours. The longest was a couple from Paducah that stayed for 7 hours. Because they said we hear about you and we’re not leaving until you run out of stories. They got here at 4 and they left after 7 that night.”

Many have noticed hart has a memory almost as sharp as a tack; with mind blowing detail as well, as she makes sure to relay veteran’s stories to visitors.

“I do have a great memory that God gave me. But if I had to walk out of here today and somebody else walked in and had to hear a story, could you tell one of these?” Hart mentioned.

Hundreds of artifacts and items can be seen covering just about each wall, all of which honors a veteran’s remembrance. Stories like “The Cool Fool” and vital information pertaining to agent orange, are to never to be forgotten.

Hart says she was once asked “How can you do this knowing the veterans are all gone?” to which she proudly replied, “They’re not gone. And she said, “No I mean they’re dead.” And I said, “I know what you meant, but as long as their pictures are in this museum, and their stories were placed in my heart by them, I’m never going to stop telling their stories.”

The museum is free to the public and open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.