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MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — November is National Veterans and Military Families Month — and to honor this, Manatee County volunteers are decorating so the community always remembers the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
Molly Boardman is a collector of items from the past that now serve as reminders.
“This means the world to me,” she said.
Her collection has grown over the last 20 years.
Now, she’s putting the memories on display at the South Manatee Branch Library in honor of National Veterans and Military Families Month.
“Well, what I’m hoping it gives people in the community, especially children, is a chance to see these things — and hopefully talk about the sacrifice that people have made for our freedoms,” she explained.
Molly served in the Army from 1985 to 1989, then was in the Reserves until 2009. She also had a 20-year career as a teacher in Manatee County. Now, she has been selected as Veteran of the Year by the Manatee County Veterans Council.
“I come from a very, very long line of military people, all the way back to the American Revolution. I wanted to feel like I was doing my part,” she said.
That family history made her appreciate even the little things about the military. She still has her first pair of boots.
“Basic training was very, very difficult to get through. I still wear them sometimes,” she said.
Other volunteers from the Manatee County Veterans Council — like Air Force veteran Victor McKenzie — are hoping this exhibit, which features Boardman’s items, will remind the community of what veterans have sacrificed.
“I think it’ll help explain the different branches of service, the different periods of wartime, so they know how long we’ve been defending our country,” he said.
The wall inside the library includes pictures and items from wars dating back to the Korean War.
“This is what my classroom used to look like — my students would call it the museum.”
Boardman is more than just Manatee County’s Veteran of the Year — she’s a voice for veterans, showing the impact the military has had on the country.
Visitors can see the display inside the South Manatee Branch Library until Nov. 12.
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Julia Hazel
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