SALT LAKE CITY -- A new exhibit at a Utah museum helps to tell the story of women in World War II, particularly those who served as nurses.
The American Red Cross has donated dozens of old uniforms to the Fort Douglas Military Museum.
“This is a fabulous donation they're making to us,” said Robert Voyles, who is the director of the Fort Douglas Military Museum.
The Fort Douglas Military Museum highlights Utah’s role in all branches of the armed forces, with artifacts dating back to the 1860s.
The newest exhibit pays tribute to an organization that has supported military members and their families for more than a century.
“The Red Cross has been around since 1881, and much of our time has been devoted to supporting military members, both here, stateside and overseas,” said Heidi Ruster, who is the regional CEO for the American Red Cross in Utah.
Veteran Charles Hibbard served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and he said they were glad for that support.
“You could always call on the Red Cross, didn't matter what time of day or night,” he said. “…My last station in World War II was Okinawa, and there was a nice Red Cross station there."
He was on hand to help celebrate the opening of the new exhibit focusing on the Red Cross and the many contributions of women who served as nurses.
“This fills in an area of which we had not focused on previously,” Voyles said. “They have, really a large collection of World War II Red Cross uniforms that have been sitting in their cellar. In return, we have promised them we would put on a permanent exhibition for them telling the story of the Red Cross in World War II."
