Regional roots of military's 'Stars and Stripes' newspaper receive attention

Several members of the SIU faculty met Tuesday with the board president for a museum devoted to the history of Stars and Stripes, the longtime newspaper of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Jim Martin, who heads the board of directors for the National Stars and Stripes Museum and Library in Bloomfield, Mo., met with faculty in SIU's College of Mass Communications and Media Arts at 17th Street Barbecue in Murphysboro to discuss the museum's goals, as well as a gala event the museum has planned for this fall.

Martin says he is looking for assistance, both academic and financial, to help further the museum's reach.

"We need more space," Martin said. "We need more expertise."

Stars and Stripes first was published in 1861 in Bloomfield by occupying Union forces during the Civil War.

It was published intermittently through the next several American conflicts before evolving into the editorially independent newspaper now serving the U.S. military all around the world.

This fall, the publication's history will be featured in Gateway Journalism Review, published by the SIU School of Journalism.

Martin also was promoting the museum's upcoming Spirit of Democracy celebration, planned for Nov. 16 in Cape Girardeau.

The $100-a-plate dinner is meant to garner more awareness and support for the museum.

"It's really my passion," Martin said.

Meeting with Martin were Bill Freivogel, a professor in the SIU School of Journalism and publisher of Gateway Journalism Review; Mark Dolan, an associate professor in the School of Journalism; Jan Thompson, a professor in Radio, Television and Digital Media; and Bill Recktenwald, senior lecturer in the School of Journalism.

While in Murphysboro, Martin also planned to meet with Mike Jones at the Gen. John A. Logan Museum.