Staff photo by Fritz Busch Fairfax First National Bank hosts the West Central Minnesota Historical Association’s World War I Traveling Exhibit weekdays through Friday, March 29. From left, First National Bank CEO/Owner Bob Dickson, President Ronald Winch and Senior Vice President Ben Hillesheim.

FAIRFAX — Thanks to cooperation from a bank owner, an extensive World War I traveling exhibit of photographs, letters home and newspaper stories is open to the public at First National Bank through March 29.

Bank owner Bob Dickson said the Renville County Historical Society wanted to open the exhibit at the Fairfax Public Library but the exhibit was so extensive, it didn’t really fit in the library.

“I offered to have the exhibit in the bank. It worked out,” said Dickson.

The exhibit detailed on a number of panels was created by partnerships of the West Central Minnesota Historical Association, a collaboration of 10 counties: Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Redwood, Renville, Swift, and Yellow Medicine.

Demonstrating the relevance of local history by showcasing local stories, letters and photos in the greater context of WWI history.

The exhibit was created to help communities understand how West Central Minnesota had an important role in such a large national event and world history.

The exhibit begins with an overview written by John R. Brown, Balaton, Lyon County:

“America didn’t want to enter the war in Europe when it began in 1914. Three years later, American could no longer stay neutral. We joined the fray.

“Some of us went to Europe as nurses and soldiers. At home, we bought bonds, raised wheat, rationed meat and sugar, and knit socks.

“We fought in Europe for almost two years. When it was over, we saw the world through war-changed eyes.”

Alma Kienlen of Fairfax and the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. wrote a couple stories featured in the exhibit in October 1918.

“How little we realized what war really was. How little we realized the strain borne by these nations so long engaged in this war. How little we knew of the sacrifices made by the soldiers (and nurses)–loss of everything, loved ones, liberty, and even possibly life itself.

“No one can understand or will understand who has not been in it. Oh, I’m glad that I’m here–and don’t mind any sacrifices one bit.”

“I only wish you cold see all the wonderful things the Red Cross is doing for the boys. Of course you are making the things, but if you could only see how the boys enjoy and appreciate every bit of it. I wish some of those slackers, or people who haven’t any time, could see, I know they would soon change.”

Leon Simensen of Canby wrote about the horrors of war in Oct. 1918.

“We go through a rain of machine gun bullets and bursting shells and see men get blown higher than your head but just keep on going. One of you best chums gets wounded. He calls to you not to leave him for God’s ake, but you’ve got to go on not knowing when you will be next, expecting to get blown to pieces every second. Every bullet you hear seems to be coming right at you. I have been so close to being killed so many times that I can’t understand why I am still living.”

The horrors of war included a passage about the men and women returning home.

“Ships and trains brought home men and women changed by war. Along with a new set of life experiences, many soldiers suffered slow-to-heal physical and mental injuries. Some never healed.

Between 1920 and 1922, the remains of 46,000 WWI servicemen were removed cemeteries in France and shipped home.

Receiving two prestigious awards from the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums and American Association for State and Local History, the exhibit had traveled through 10 counties in five years.

The current exhibit display is sponsored by the Renville County Historical Society.

First National Bank lobby hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Friday.