World War II embodies so many stories - stories of world-shaping leaders and world-changing events; but also quieter stories even those closest to the veterans may never have heard.

Here we encounter some of those stories, told by fourteen Siouxland men and women who served our nation in extraordinary times.

Like hundreds of thousands of other citizens, they acted with courage and distinction and then came home to rebuild their lives.

More than sixty years later, their stories affirm deep American values. They inspire us to keep the memories of other veterans, to treasure the stories that too quickly are lost. They remind us to talk to one another, to listen to one another and to grow in our understanding of what we mean to one another.

The WWII Veterans’ portraits and stories are part of an exhibition created in 2008 at the Center. The exhibition comprises portraits by Don Doll, S.J.; stories by Tim Gallagher; photographs from the National Archives; and a display of the Flag that flew on U.S.S. LCS (L) (3) 92 from 1944 to 1946 during service in the Pacific Ocean. The Flag was donated to the Center by John Hart, of LeMars, Iowa, and his shipmates.

The exhibition was designed by Fr. Doll and Carol McCabe, of Magis Productions; graphic design by Patrick Osborne; text by Marcia Poole; and installation by Mike McCormick.