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We were saddened to hear this week that the Miss-Lou Military Museum and Veterans Welcome/Information Center will be closing permanently.

The center, located on Jefferson Davis Boulevard, grew from the passion project of one man to a vision that was carried out by dozens of volunteers and supporters.

The late G. Mark LaFrancis was instrumental in the creation of the Home With Heroes Foundation Inc., the organization which operated the museum. LaFrancis had a special love and appreciation for veterans, and he devoted much of his free time and volunteer efforts to telling their stories and preserving their history.

The museum first opened in 2018 at the VFW Post 9573 building on Seargent S. Prentiss Drive and by November 2023, it had grown enough that a new space was needed.

Inside the museum, a plethora of interesting finds and mementoes awaited visitors – from military artifacts to GI Joe figurines, ship and aircraft models to photos, uniforms to personal items. Anyone interested in learning more about military history and veterans could appreciate the effort put into curating the museum and the depth of knowledge shared with the community.

Sadly, the Home With Heroes organization is no longer able to afford rent for the museum. The organization operates on the generosity of donors and volunteers, and the financial strain combined with the upcoming move of Larry Smith – who oversaw the museum effort – and his wife, Jackie, prompted the difficult decision.

It’s a loss for a community, without doubt. But while the museum may be closing, the Home With Heroes Foundation will continue to be an integral service and volunteer organization in the Miss-Lou. U.S. Army Special Forces veteran Robert Foley is the new president of the Home with Heroes Foundation, and Gabi Crousillac, retired Army National Guard Major, is the new vice president. On June 1, Crousillac will replace Jackie Smith as the executive director.

Like the heroes they honor, these volunteers are quietly and tirelessly working in our community. Their efforts to preserve the legacy of veterans and promote the appreciation and understanding of these heroes will continue.