HONORING VETERANS — The Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center will be honoring local veterans through an exhibit to be on display throughout November. Standing with one of the planned displays are, from left, Frank DeCaria and George Kondik of the Weirton Rotary Club, and Bob Kelly, representing the Weirton Museum. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Throughout November, the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center will be paying tribute to the local history of military service.

“It used to be, West Virginia had the most veterans than any other state,” Bob Kelly, representative of the museum, said.

To recognize the service of veterans from the Weirton area, the museum is establishing a temporary exhibit, with displays of pictures of the various men and women who have worn the uniforms of the nation’s military.

“We’ll be doing it every weekend, starting Friday,” Kelly said.

Kelly explained the museum has obtained scans of many of the veterans banners which line the city’s streets each year between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. In addition, there are pictures museum volunteers have found through searches of the Weirton Steel Employees’ Bulletin, donations from local families and other materials.

“If you had relatives in the military, more than likely, they’ll be in there,” he said.

The Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center, located at 3149 Main St., is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Visits also can be arranged by appointment by calling the museum at (304) 224-1909.

Kelly, himself a veteran of the Air Force with service from 1964 to 1968, said he didn’t anticipate the amount of work involved with curating the exhibit, because of the vast number of individuals who have served.

“I didn’t know how many veterans I was getting into,” he said.

The exhibit, which will include uniforms and other items, will be on display on the museum’s first floor.