Exhibit to honor U.S. military chaplains of World War II at Secret City Festival

An exhibit at the Secret City Festival in June will honor the service and heroism of U.S. military chaplains of World War II. (Submitted photo)

An exhibit at the Secret City Festival in June will honor the service and heroism of U.S. military chaplains of World War II.

The exhibit, “Faith and Courage,” recognizes the contributions of a special group of veterans whose story is rarely told, U.S. military chaplains, a press release said. The dedicated service of chaplains to those who go into harm’s way for our country, their humble self-sacrifice, and their common, but little-known, acts of heroism exemplify personal values, traits, and traditions that are of unquestionable benefit to any society, the release said.

“This exhibit honors these exceptional individuals and attempts to extend the value of their service and sacrifice by keeping their memories alive as an example for later generations,” it said.

In the words of President Harry S. Truman, the press release said: “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

The presentation featured at the Secret City Festival will include text and photographs from World War II. Much of the information was collected with the help of the Army Chaplain Museum and the Navy Chaplain Archives. Although this presentation will only include World War II, the full version of the exhibit also includes the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the more recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Faith and Courage,” the exhibit at Washington National Cathedral for the 2004 opening of the World War II Memorial, was an expansion of this exhibit. The opening service for the dedication of the memorial was held at the cathedral with the chiefs of all the U.S. Military Chaplain Corps in attendance.

The exhibit has received awards and recognition from the Tennessee Association of Museums, the Army Chaplain Corps, and Navy Chaplain Corps Chiefs of Chaplains.

“Faith and Courage” has been featured at the Celebrate Freedom Festival in Pigeon Forge, the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge, and a number of other public venues, the press release said. Congressman Zach Wamp requested the exhibit for an event honoring World War II veterans in Oak Ridge. The permanent exhibit is based at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville. A traveling version is now available for showings in other locations.

The exhibit was developed and designed by Tom Walker, former exhibit designer for the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge. The former Knoxville native is now based in Sevierville, where he participates in exhibit development for the Tennessee Museum of Aviation, the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame, and WonderWorks.

The Secret City Festival is June 10 and 11 at Oak Ridge Civic Center and Alvin K. Bissell Park.