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Lining the walls inside Post 432 museum are artifacts from World War I through modern wars. 

The small town of Waynesburg, Ohio, boasts a proud military heritage. 

Two Medal of Honor recipients were from Waynesburg (population: 1,035). Banners of hometown servicemembers line the streets. A new museum at American Legion Post 432 shares the stories of local veterans. 

“It’s vitally important because we are losing the members of the Greatest Generation of this country,” said Hugh Roberts, an area native, Post 432 member and Army veteran who served from 1957 to 1964. “And with them go the memories and traditions. This project of 91Ӱ���ƽ�� is a way of perpetuating the memories and the bravery of those people. This makes Waynesburg a special town because they keep the traditions alive that made this country great.” 

The museum displays, which were displayed earlier this year, serve as an example of how American Legion posts can work with community partners on preserving their history. 

Post 432 is working with the Waynesburg Area Historical Society to transition the post to a museum where they can educate others about the area’s veterans.

Lining the walls inside the post are artifacts from World War I through modern wars. 

The items are focused on those with local ties, including Medal of Honor recipient Joseph Cicchetti. 

An Army veteran during World War II, Cicchetti is credited with saving the lives of 14 fellow soldiers during an assault by the Japanese in southern Manila, Luzon, in the Philippines.On Feb. 9, 1945, Cicchetti volunteered to organize a team to carry wounded soldiers across a 400-yard stretch under a barrage of gunfire over a 14-hour period. 

While shielding and rescuing other wounded soldiers, Cicchetti was struck in the head by a shell fragment. He carried one last wounded soldier 50 yards to safety before he collapsed and died. He was 21. 

Waynesburg’s other Medal of Honor recipient is William Bensinger, who served during the Civil War. Bensinger, a private in the 21st Ohio Infantry, received the medal for his pivotal role in the Great Locomotive Chase in Georgia in April 1862. 

Carmen Swihart is the daughter, wife and mother of veterans. She has taken the lead of creating the museum so that the legacies of Cicchetti and Bensinger, as well as the stories of all Waynesburg veterans would not be forgotten. 

“I love history,” she said, noting she does her family’s genealogy. “I just like helping people, especially our veterans.” 

Roberts and the rest of the Post 432 members are grateful for their community partner. “If it weren’t for the work of Carmen and a few others, who knows what would happen to this place,” he said. “Otherwise, veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War would have no place to gather and talk about their memories.” 

91Ӱ���ƽ�� a dozen Scouts learned about the area’s rich military history during a visit to the post museum in early July. Todd Bowman, scoutmaster of Troop 38 in East Sparta, Ohio, said that his troop helps out at their local American Legion post. He also emphasized how it’s important for our nation’s history to be passed down, especially during America’s 250th birthday celebration, to young people. 

“They need to know about history,” he said. “They need to know about what these veterans did for our country so they can enjoy the freedoms we have today. It’s very important for the boys to know about the history of America,” he said. “We’re very thankful for our veterans, especially those in the area.” 

Looking ahead to the future, Swihart has a vision. 

“Success would be these kids taking over and making this even better,” she said after leading the Scouts on a tour. “We’re trying to get the young people interested. I’m constantly talking to them, telling them this is something we need to do for our community.”