In Hatfield, two exhibits planned for Memorial Day

By GAZETTE STAFF

Published: 05-25-2017 7:51 PM

HATFIELD — The Hatfield Historical Museum is showcasing two exhibits in honor of Memorial Day, one displaying letters, photos and other mementos from the Korean and Vietnam wars, and another displaying more than 100 dolls.

More than 100 dolls?

That’s right, said Kathie Gow, the museum’s curator.

When David Bell was serving in Vietnam, he sent a pair of dolls home to his twin daughters Glenda and Brenda. So began a tradition where Bell would send dolls home, or the girls would pick them up when they traveled to see him, during his military career, which ended in 1976, Gow said.

The second exhibit features several mementos from the Vietnam and Korean wars and is called “Making Connections: Preserving Soldiers’ Humanity in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.”

Gow said the museum will display items, including a helmet, grenade, photos and letters home from Kenneth Balise of Hatfield, who served in Korea.

The museum will also display a uniform, photos and letters belonging to Gerry Clark, of Leeds, who is a member of the Hatfield American Legion and served in Vietnam.

The exhibits will be free and open to the public from 11 to noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday on the second floor of the library, 39 Main St. The Hatfield Memorial Day parade is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. followed by a ceremony at Town Hall.

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The exhibits will also be on display after Memorial Day during the museum’s normal hours — 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays.

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