August 2 - "Camp Van Dorn"

World War Two came to an end 60 years ago this month. It's an anniversary well remembered in the tiny town of Centerville, Mississippi. During the war years Centerville was a hub of military activity--an era now chronicled in a new museum.

They came from all over America, answering the call for fighting men at the outset of World War Two. Thousands of recruits came to tiny Centerville, where Camp Van Dorn had sprung up almost overnight.

Many thought they had arrived at the end of the world. Museum volunteer Mildred Field recalls, "It was hot as the devil, cold as it could possibly be, and they froze to death. They got eaten up by mosquitoes and chiggers and everything else. But regardless of that--it's amazing--these men have kept in touch, and they've come back repeatedly."

Up to 60,000 at a time they came to Centerville. Population swelled from 2,000 to 100,000. Boys became men. And Centerville reached out.

"People in Centerville put soldiers' families up in their homes," says volunteer Sandra Freeman, "because there was nowhere here for them to stay when the wives and the families came to be with the soldiers. Many of our volunteers have kept up correspondence with many of the soldiers who were stationed here then, and right with them today. So long lasting friendships were formed."

This is a personal museum. Everything in it was supplied by someone who trained at Camp Van Dorn. Here Centerville honors the men who fought--and the city's contribution to the effort.

The museum is at 138 Main Street. It's open Monday-Friday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Their phone is 601-645-9000.