— More than 7,000 pieces from American military history will be on display in Willmar in observance of Veterans Day from Nov. 9 through Nov. 11.
The United States Military Historical Collection features uniforms and medals from more than 600 individuals, collected and curated by Jonathan Lindstrand.
This year marks the 27th anniversary of the memorial display and includes several new items for those who have visited in the past. Items date back to the American Civil War and as recent as the War on Terror.
The items on display each have their own story, whether it is the uniforms of a colonel who was in the Pentagon on 9/11 or a wedding dress made from a parachute because of silk rationing in World War II.
“I think it is important for people to learn about the true stories from the people that were there. You can’t always gloss over it like Hollywood likes to do. They always focus on certain aspects but it doesn’t really get into the day-to-day activities of military men and women,” Lindstrand said.
To help showcase the stories of soldiers, a tent is set up to recreate a space from the Korean War, featuring cots and a kitchen.
The uniform of Merlin Ziehl, who served in World War II, alongside a wedding dress made from a parachute and a bridesmaid dress are part of the United State Military Historical Collection display being set up Monday Nov. 3, 2025, at the Willmar War Memorial Auditorium. During World War II, a silk ration meant that Ziehl’s fiance could not get a wedding dress. While deployed, he sent back a damaged parachute and she was able to make a wedding dress from it. The two got married when he returned. Ziehl’s story, and many others like it, will be on display from Nov. 9 through Nov. 11.
Levi Jones / West Central Tribune
Lindstrand started the private collection 41 years ago and shares it with the community in observance of Veterans Day each year for the past 27 years.
The display will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Nov. 9-11 at the Willmar War Memorial Auditorium, 311 Sixth St. S.W. in Willmar. Blue Star Mothers of Minnesota Chapter 1 will be at the event to accept donated items and funds to be sent in care packages to troops overseas. A special observance program will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 11.
Levi Jones is the West Central Tribune’s business reporter. After growing up in the Twin Cities, Jones attended Hamline University for journalism and media communications. After graduating in 2020, Jones has worked as a reporter covering anything from sports to politics.