Stars and Stripes Museum

06/19/2026

🌟 Pam Zich: Life on the Home Front - Then and Now🌟

From 2002 to 2010, Pam Zich brought laughter and relatability to military families through her weekly column, “Life on the Home Front,” in Stars and Stripes. With humor and heart, she captured the unique joys and challenges of life as a military spouse.

Reflecting on Her Journey
In 2002, while her husband was stationed at Cherry Point, Pam had a spark of inspiration to write about her experiences as a military spouse raising three energetic boys. Could her stories resonate with readers? The answer was a resounding yes!

From Small Town to Marine Life
Growing up in a small North Carolina town, Pam never envisioned her life would lead her far from home. But dating a Marine changed everything. After marrying Ron, moving became their way of life, with Cherry Point being the closest they lived to her hometown.

Family Adventures in Okinawa
Their journey included three years in Okinawa, where Pam welcomed her oldest and middle sons, Jimi and Tommy. With the arrival of Ronnie in San Antonio, Pam found an abundance of stories in her boys’ antics, making her column relatable to readers everywhere.

The Joy of Writing
Over eight years, Pam shared tales of family life, including the beloved misadventures of their oversized Border Collie, Glory. Her columns struck a chord with readers, sparking connections and laughter.

A New Chapter
In 2010, as Ron prepared for retirement, Pam transitioned from writing to teaching special education. It felt like the right moment to close that chapter.

Returning Home
In 2021, Pam and Ron returned to her childhood home, where they embrace rural life. With two horses and a newfound passion for farming, Ron is learning the ropes while enjoying fishing and golfing. Their sons are thriving—Jimi is now a special education teacher, Tommy is engaged, and Ronnie works as a data analyst.

Cherishing Memories
Pam continues to treasure memories through her old columns and scrapbooks, recalling sunny days at the beach and special birthday parties.

Explore more stories like Pam's in our Striper Spotlight blog and stay updated with the latest articles at Stripes.com! 📚✨

06/19/2026

🎉 What an incredible International Picnic Day at the Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library! 🎉

​Today, we had the absolute pleasure of serving almost 200 people who joined us for lunch and supper. It was wonderful to see our community come together, share a meal, and support the museum.

​🍔 A MASSIVE Thank You to Our Amazing Sponsors:

We couldn't have pulled this off without the incredible generosity of our local businesses. Please help us thank:

Food Giant Bloomfield MO
Food Giant Advance, MO
Harps Food Stores - Dexter, MO ​
Bill's Market (Puxico)
WoodmenLife

​📖 History in the Making:

To top off a fantastic day, we had 36 guests stay into the evening for a captivating presentation on General Sherman by Rob Weeks. A huge shout-out to Rob for sharing his incredible time and expertise with us!

​Thank you to everyone who came out, ate, learned, and spent their day with us. We have the best community around! 🇺🇸✨

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06/18/2026

06/18/2026

Did you know? 🚗 💨 People drive by the Stars and Stripes Museum every day, but so many miss out on the stories waiting inside! Come explore our rich history and uncover the past. We can’t wait to welcome you!

06/18/2026

Beyond the Screen: What your child will learn at Journalism Camp 🧠🎙️

If your child is a budding storyteller, a tech enthusiast, or just loves asking questions, our Journalism Summer Camp (July 13–17) is the perfect outlet.

Led by media experts from the University of Missouri, this immersive 5-day camp teaches real, transferable skills that go far beyond writing an article:

Technical Production: Campers get hands-on with professional cameras, tripods, and wireless microphones, learning how to capture broadcast-quality audio and video.

Critical Thinking: We dive into investigative reporting techniques, checking facts, and understanding how modern technology—like AI—is shaping the media landscape.

Elite Interviewing: Students learn the art of the interview—how to research a subject's background using historical Stars and Stripes newspapers, formulate deep questions, and listen actively.

Your camper will apply these skills immediately by interviewing area military veterans, preserving their stories for both our local archive and the Library of Congress.

Don't let them miss out on this unique resume-builder for middle schoolers!

👉 Click Here https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-journalism-summer-camp to Register for $50

06/18/2026

TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT! ⚔️🍔 Open 10 AM - 8 PM!

If you don't have plans today, you do now! We are kicking off our special extended hours starting at 10:00 AM today and staying open until 8:00 PM.

Whether you want to sneak away for a quick lunch, grab some supper to take home, or spend the afternoon exploring our exhibits, today is the perfect day to visit the museum.

🎭 The Main Event (6:00 PM):
Tonight at 6 o'clock, guest speaker Rob Weeks takes the stage in the WWII Room to tackle one of the most polarizing figures of the Civil War: General William T. Sherman: Madman or Genius? The

Game Plan for Today:
⏰ 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM: Museum exhibits are open! Come explore.
🕕 6:00 PM: Tables are set, the grill is ready, and the presentation begins! Sit back, eat, and enjoy a gripping historical discussion.
🧺 On the Menu: Sizzling burgers, classic hot dogs, and legendary fried bologna sandwiches for International Picnic Day.

Bring your family, bring your friends, and bring a healthy appetite. We can't wait to see you all here!

06/18/2026

A huge thank you to our community partners! ❤️

We are so excited for our International Picnic Day celebration tomorrow! We’ll be serving up burgers, hot dogs, and fried bologna sandwiches, and we are incredibly grateful for the local support that allows us to offer this food for free to our wonderful visitors.

We couldn't do this without the generous donations from our amazing community partners. Please join us in thanking:

Food Giant Bloomfield MO
Food Giant Advance, MO
Harps Food Stores - Dexter, MO
Walmart Dexter
Bill's Market (Puxico)

Come by the museum tomorrow. We are open 10:00 AM to 8 PM!
We have a special program on General William T. Sherman: Genius or Madman? at 6 PM

We can’t wait to see you there. 🌭🍔

06/18/2026

Investing in our future and honoring our past! 🇺🇸

We are incredibly grateful to the WoodmenLife Outreach Foundation for their generous $2,500 donation to the Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library.

A huge thank you to local WoodmenLife representatives Kayla Hester, Angie Lattus, and Van Watkins for your dedicated support in making this partnership possible.

This partnership allows us to advance two vital initiatives:

Youth Education: Funding for our upcoming Journalism Summer Camp for 5th–8th graders, where local students will build leadership, literacy, and civic pride.

Preserving History: Supporting our veteran oral history project in partnership with the Library of Congress, ensuring the voices of our regional heroes are archived forever.

By bridging the gap between youth mentorship and historical preservation, WoodmenLife is helping us strengthen our community and keep the spirit of patriotism alive for generations to come. Thank you for your commitment to our mission!

06/17/2026

🌧️ Don’t let a little rain keep you away tomorrow!

Stop by the museum to explore our exciting new exhibits, enjoy some delicious food fresh off the grill, and spend the day supporting your favorite local museum. 🍔🌭👀

We can’t wait to see you tomorrow!

06/17/2026

Ready for Some Thunder? Meet Rodney Dennis! 💥🥁

We are thrilled to highlight one of our most dedicated history enthusiasts, Rodney Dennis! Traveling over from Cairo, Illinois, Rodney brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for Civil War history to our museum community.

Rodney is a proud member of the Colonel Charles A. Wickliffe SCV Camp 2337 and the Stoddard County Historical Society. If you were at our Occupy Bloomfield event in 2025 (check out that photo of him in action!), you likely saw the incredible display he and his fellow members brought, including authentic cannons and cannonballs!

Mark your calendars! 🗓️ You can meet Rodney in person and experience history firsthand at this year’s Occupy Bloomfield event on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

Thank you, Rodney, for your dedication to preserving our heritage and sharing it with the next generation!