Traveling WWI exhibit to stop in Dixon

A World War I exhibit is coming to Dixon on Friday, July 13.

DIXON – As mutual fund and financial planning company Waddell & Reed approached their 75th year in business, they came up with an unconventional acknowledgement of this special anniversary. Working in partnership with Ivy Funds and the National World War I Museum, a custom 18-wheel “big rig” truck was transformed into a World War I exhibition that has been traveling to communities across the country.

After reading about the exhibit, Jim Travi of Amboy, a longtime Waddell & Reed employee, made it his mission to bring the traveling museum to Dixon. “I decided it would be a way to give back to the community if I could get it here,” Travi explained. “I worked with Richard Sanders of the Dixon Vietnow organization and asked him if Veterans Park would be interested. He said, ‘Yes, absolutely.’”

As Travi worked to secure a date with organizers of the tour, he said not only was the City of Dixon appealing to them as the home of President Ronald Reagan but the setting at Veterans Park was a perfect location to host the exhibit. “It’s amazing what they’ve done at the park,” Travi said of the local venue. “They did a classy job of developing it. It’s a place the community can really enjoy.”

When the “Honoring Our History Tour” exhibit sets up in Dixon on Friday, this will be its 56th stop on a 75-city cross country tour. This unique exhibition offers a free, interactive and educational experience designed by the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Mo., the first and only American museum solely dedicated to preserving the artifacts, history and personal experiences of World War I. The Waddell & Reed Traveling World War I Exhibition features 66 artifacts, such as weapons, uniforms, posters and flags.

In addition, visitors will experience the tight conditions of trench warfare, see the relatively primitive tools, weapons, equipment and uniforms, amid sounds and sights of war 100 years ago. The year-long tour honors the men and women who served in World War I and those who have since bravely served our country and protected our freedom.

Travi noted that both founders of Waddell & Reed, Chauncey Waddell and Cameron Reed, served in World War I. “Chauncey Waddell’s flight gear, flight suit and log book are a part of the exhibit,” he said. “That makes it even more personal.”

Travi said he is very excited to be one of 75 cities hosting the exhibit and noted that he was able to see for himself while in Kansas City. “It’s amazing what they can do with a semi – how much they can get into it,” he explained. “It [the trailer] pulls out, so it doesn’t even seem like a semi when it’s all set up. I thought it was something the community would enjoy.”

As we approach the 100th anniversary of World War I, Travi said the exhibit teaches an important history lesson for all generations. “It tells the story of World War I, how we got involved and why – World War I changed our lives,” he emphasized. “Before the war, we believed we could survive in this country by ourselves but we found out that everybody needs everybody.”

In addition to the traveling exhibit, Travi is excited for the public to visit Veterans Park, which was established in 2001 and features many donated artifacts and military equipment of the World War II and Vietnam era. Among its displays are a fighter helicopter and a fighter jet. “All different eras are represented at the park,” he said. “It means a lot to me and I think it will be the same for everyone who sees it.”

The traveling World War I Exhibition will be open free to the public from noon to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 13 in the parking lot of Veterans Memorial Park, 666 Veteran Parkway, Dixon.

Travi said everything is free on Friday but people are welcome to make a donation. All donations received in Dixon will be divided equally between Veterans Park and the National WWI Museum in Kansas City, Mo. Part of Waddell & Reed’s mission is to raise $500,000 in donations by the end of the exhibit’s 75-city tour. Visitors may make donations with cash or electronically. For more information or to make an electronic donation, visit www.honoringourhistory.com.

As Travi looks ahead to the exhibit’s arrival on Friday, he is hoping for good weather, a good turnout and more importantly, that the public views this unique opportunity to learn about history as a special and enjoyable gift. “I really think as we grow, it’s important to give back to the community that helped us grow,” he said. “This is one way I had of doing that.”