Polk County Historical Museum to host veterans’ forum Sunday
Published 8:00 am Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Area residents are invited to participate in the Veteran’s Forum on Sunday inside the Polk County Historical Museum.
The event will feature stories from local veterans concerning their military experiences. It will begin at 2 p.m. and wrap up around 3:30 p.m.
In addition to this annual event, the museum will have Bryant Womack’s Medal of Honor on display for attendees to observe.
Womack was a Polk County native son who was recognized for heroic acts he performed in the Korean War.
Pfc. Womack was the only army medic attached to a night combat patrol. The patrol was greatly outnumbered and there were numerous casualties in the fight.
Womack immediately went to their aid even though this exposed him to enemy fire. He was seriously wounded and continued moving among the wounded to administer aid.
While aiding one man, Womack was struck again by enemy mortar fire, this time suffering the loss of his right arm. The medical aidman remained on the scene and directed others in first-aid techniques.
Womack was the last man to withdraw. He walked until he collapsed from loss of blood, and died a few minutes later.
The army hospital at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, also bears his name, Womack Army Medical Center.
The Veteran’s Forum is open to everyone, and residents are welcome to attend. The Polk County Historical Museum is located at 60 Walker St. in Columbus.
-Submitted article