This Memorial Day weekend included the opening of the Minnesota Historical Society's "Greatest Generation" Exhibit at the Minnesota History Center in downtown St. Paul. Today's festivities included a reception for those who contributed artifacts and funds to make the exhibit a reality. A certain Minnesota named Bruce Laingen is included in the exhibit, so we were invited to represent him at the reception before seeing the displays! 
The day began with a noon flyover of four T-6 "Texan" aircraft from World War II, as they performed a missing man formation over the capitol.
There was an opening program outside the History Center, with speeches and music (you can see the Catholic Cathedral of St. Paul in the background).
The display, which will be a fixture at the History Center for many years, includes a quote by Bruce Laingen next to a photo of him coming off the airplane after his time as a hostage in Iran (1979 - 1981). The suit he wore off the plane (which he couldn't give away to his sons) is next to the photo).
The suit is right next to General Vessey's uniform from Vietnam. General John Vessey, also a native Minnesotan, began his career as a private in the Minnesota National Guard in World War II, and rose to become a four star general and ultimately the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Ronald Reagan.
A photo in the exhibit also shows Bruce Laingen next to President Jimmy Carter, and Vice President Walter Mondale (the latter a native Minnesotan as well).
If you are in Minnesota during the next few years, get to the History Center to see this interesting display!
