Union City High School history teacher John de Armas has been collecting World War ll artifacts since he was around eight years old. Flea markets, E-Bay, garage sales, memorabilia stores. Wherever he could find stuff. He literally became a World War ll buff from watching Saving Private Ryan and other historical shows.
Well, that love led to a career as a history teacher. For the past three years he has been putting together, what can only be described as, a museum-like exhibit on the war. That exhibit, “Price For Peace: The WWll Experience,” which has been on display in the Performing Arts Center in Union City High School since April 24th, closes on Friday, April 28.
Students have been streaming through the exhibit with their teachers all week long. It was even open to the public for an hour on Wednesday afternoon after school.
There are all sorts of artifacts on display. Photos, videos, clothing, poster boards with detailed, historical information. Everything from the role of women in the war, to the conflict in the Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Nazi Germany, Hitler, FDR, Union City’s connection to the war, D-Day….shall I go on?
It is truly an excellent exhibit sponsored by the Union City Board of Education….and this is de Armas’ first-ever attempt at curating an exhibit.
de Armas gave credit to many people in the High School for making the exhibit come to life. It truly is an educational experience worthy of praise.
Maybe the city can come to an arrangement to put it on display so the general public can view it. It would certainly be worthwhile.