Pictured are Charles Freedom Long, exhibit volunteer; Jeff Levandoski, county vice commander; Kirk Miller, County Commander, Joseph Seminatore, Westfield American Legion Post 327 Commander; and Stanley Kawski, county Chaplain.

WESTFIELD — On Aug. 10, members of the Chautauqua County American Legion found their way to the Octagon at Patterson Library in Westfield to help pay tribute to the many residents from the village and town that served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The heroes were inked by name on the wall, and they served as Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and the flight crews of the Army Air Corps in the 1940s.

A chronological depiction of the war in the pacific against the Japanese Imperial Forces spanned from the start in China through the dropping of two atomic bombs. The timeline was created and shown through carefully crafted dioramas, printed stories, and military memorabilia. Its layout was the creation of Nancy Nixon Ensign, Charles Freedom Long and Patricia Locke. Space was made available graciously by the Patterson Library in Westfield. The exhibit is open daily through Sept. 8.

Commander Kirk Miller commented that “Such a well thought and put together exhibit truly captures the spirit of those days. It also serves as quite an honor to the veterans who served, as well as the Blue and Gold Star families that waited at home. This is eight sides of our history, and our familiarity with this shape should make us stop to reflect upon these men and women’s service and sacrifice.”