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Garst Museum
The Ruptured Duck Veterans Day Exhibit
The Garst Museum invites the public to view the 2020 Veterans Day
exhibit within the Lowell Thomas Meeting Room. Each year, Garst Museum
unveils an exhibit that honors and recognizes the legacy of our
country’s veterans and the sacrifices they made, and continue to make,
in the name of our freedom. Traditionally, the opening of the Veterans
Day exhibit is accompanied by a free program that delves into the
interesting facets of the military service, life, and historical
impact. Due to COVID, the program has been postponed until next year,
but the exhibit will be revealed and open to the public starting on
November 11.
This year’s exhibit brings deserved attention to a military uniform
that bears a specific lapel pin or patch. The patch/pin is the
Honorable Discharge insignia. This woven patch or pin was worn by
military personnel who had fulfilled their duty and were returning
home. Quite often, these new veterans, having been freshly released
from their military obligations, had their service uniforms as their
only form of clothing. By displaying the Honorable Discharge insignia,
veterans vocalized to their superiors that they were homeward bound
and, thus, permitted to continue wearing their service uniform.
The Honorable Discharge insignia was jokingly referred to by those in
the military as the Ruptured Duck. This nickname wasn’t meant as an
insult but instead a playful interpretation of what the figure seemed
to look like. Many in the military thought that the golden bird, which
was intended to be an eagle, appeared to look more like a duck. Though
affectionate nicknames accompanied this patch/pin, the Honorable
Discharge emblem has continued to be a source of pride for those who
have served. At the end of WWII, Major League Baseball allowed its
returning players to wear the insignia on their official baseball
uniforms. It also serves as the symbol on the metal flag holders that
honor resting veterans in cemeteries.
The Garst Museum encourages all to remember those that serve and
sacrifice to keep our freedom intact. The Veterans Day exhibit will be
unveiled in the Lowell Thomas Meeting Room on November 11 and is free
to visit.
Regular admission will apply to tour the Garst Museum, which includes
the outstanding National Annie Oakley Center and the Crossroads of
Destiny, Lowell Thomas, Keepers of Freedom, and Longtown exhibits.
Funding for this program was made possible by the Harry D. Stephens
Memorial Foundation. Garst Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10
a.m.–4 p.m. and masks are required.
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