Wednesday, November 12, 1997
Professor takes 'tour' of Camp Barkeley
By TANYA EISERER / Abilene Reporter-News
A local history professor took a "trip" back into
Camp Barkeley's history as he showed clips and photographs taken
during the 12th Armored Division's tour of duty in Abilene on
Tuesday night.
"Abilene was the last home of the 12th Armored Division,"
said Vernon Williams, an Abilene Christian University professor
at a Veterans Day dinner held for the 12th Armored Division Historical
Project at the Abilene Civic Center. "This was the place
where they trained."
Members of the 12th Armored Divison arrived in Abilene in 1943
and 1944 after spending time at Camp Campbell in Kentucky and
in Tennessee for combat maneuvers, he said.
On Sept. 19, 1944, the division left Abilene, headed to Europe
where they gained fame for fighting the Nazis and liberating 11
German death camps in five days, Williams said.
"This is a marvelous opportunity for the city of Abilene
to be the location of this museum," said Abilene Mayor Gary
McCaleb. "This is an idea whose time has come."
Williams said 12th Armored veterans from across the nation
have already shipped approximately 20,000 black and white photographs
to Abilene for the planned museum.
"Abilene is going to be the permanent home of the 12th
Armored Division," Williams said.
The old Matera Paper Co. building, 101 Oak, was purchased earlier
this year with $152,000 of Tax Increment Financing money to house
the proposed 12th Armored's archives.
Backers still are raising $1 million to create the military
museum.
"Abilene, you know, like so many communities, played a
major part in preparing our nation for war," said State Rep.
Bob Hunter, R-Abilene, speaking via a taped video presentation.
"It is our past and it is our legacy for the future."
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Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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