Exeter at War: A Century of Service and Sacrifice

Exeter, CA – The Center for Art, Culture, and History—Exeter (CACHE) will be hosting a new local history talk by board member Dwight Miller from the quarterly series CACHE Chats: Tales of Exeter and Beyond. Dwight’s discussion is scheduled for Monday, May 18, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the upstairs conference room, and the topic is “Exeter at War: A Century of Service and Sacrifice.” In honor of Military Appreciation Month, Miller’s engaging talk will share the stories of Exeter’s sons who have answered the call to serve in every major conflict since the Civil War. The presentation will begin with the early pioneers who came west after 1865—men who had worn the uniforms of both the Grand Army of the Republic and the Confederate States of America and who helped shape the earliest days of Exeter. The program will then highlight the few who volunteered for the brief Spanish-American War of 1898–99, followed by the remarkable response during World War I, when—out of a town of just 1,500 people—more than 150 local young men served in France. The story will continue through World War II, when many enlisted to fight in both Europe and the Pacific after December 7, 1941; through Korea, where a smaller number were called to serve; and into the Vietnam era, when many more were drafted or enlisted. The narrative concludes with those who served in the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The sons of Exeter have always been there when their country called. This presentation will honor that legacy by bringing to life a few of their stories of courage, sacrifice, and service. This event is free to the public; donations are appreciated. For more information, visit our website at www.cach-exeter.org/event-details/war.