By Blair Drake, MOAA Contributing Editor
A new exhibit at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Mo., sheds light on the transition from battlefield to civilian life after the Great War. Called “We're Home - Now What?” the special exhibit features archival materials such as posters, images, pamphlets, and booklets.
According to exhibit curator Jonathan Casey, director of archives and the Edward Jones Research Center, the exhibit is part of the museum's commemoration of the centennial of World War I.
“Looking back 100 years, this is what was going on for members of the military,” he says. “The armistice was signed Nov. 11, 1918, and in 1919, servicemembers were demobilized and returning home to their communities from overseas and from training camps.”
The materials focus on how their military service could help veterans to become leaders in the communities, to be positive examples to others, and to present themselves better publicly, including appropriate and inappropriate times to wear your uniform. They also highlight available resources, such as information on where to receive medical treatment, War Risk Insurance, and job training for disabled servicemembers.
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“I think they're interesting,” Casey says. “Something about the look of them … not elaborate … they're illustrations depicting what to do and not to do as a former servicemember and how to use this experience for yourself and for your community.”
Casey hopes visitors gain a better understanding of what these servicemembers faced at the time. He also encourages visitors to check out the other exhibits in the museum to see the whole narrative of the war and understand the scale of the demobilization effort.
“[The nation] had such a small armed forces before the war,” he explains. “And then we had to create this huge force - 4.7 million Americans served in the armed forces during the war. A lot hadn't had any military training or background and a lot wanted out of the service and back to their communities as fast as possible.”
He points out the themes in the exhibit are relevant to today's military members. “Young people went through this experience, and they're trying to restart their lives, in a way, and get back into society, and how can they do that,” Casey says. “It's the same idea that today's returning servicemembers want to get out and then use their military experience and skills in jobs and in helping the community.”
“We're Home - Now What?” runs through Sept. 8, 2019. Museum general admission tickets for adults are $18; active duty servicemembers and veterans are $14. Learn more about museum hours and ticket prices.
