Stories, artifacts and memories of World War II will surface this weekend in Park County.Like every place in America, Powell, Cody and surrounding communities endured the hardships wrought by World War II. Sons, fathers, brothers, cousins and neighbors left home to fight on foreign soil, while those at home mobilized, rationed and prayed for their loved ones. They are hailed today as America's Greatest Generation.Unlike most places, Park County experienced a unique wartime occurrence when an internment camp for Japanese-Americans was established here, making it one of 10 relocation centers in America. Wednesday marks the 67th anniversary of the camp's opening. From August 1942 to November 1945, more than 14,000 Japanese-Americans were brought into and out of the Heart Mountain Relocation Camp. While the experiences of World War II veterans and Japanese-American internees certainly differ, both groups were forever changed by the war. On Saturday, veterans and former internees will be recognized during two separate events.The Wyoming World War II Memorial will be dedicated at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Park in Cody. Later that day, a 3 p.m. program will highlight the progress of the Heart Mountain Relocation Interpretive Learning Center.As home to the veterans' memorial and forthcoming interpretive learning center, Park County becomes a place for future generations to learn about the people, events, tragedies and heroism of the Second World War — a history we must not forget.

Stories, artifacts and memories of World War II will surface this weekend in Park County.

Like every place in America, Powell, Cody and surrounding communities endured the hardships wrought by World War II. Sons, fathers, brothers, cousins and neighbors left home to fight on foreign soil, while those at home mobilized, rationed and prayed for their loved ones. They are hailed today as America's Greatest Generation.

Unlike most places, Park County experienced a unique wartime occurrence when an internment camp for Japanese-Americans was established here, making it one of 10 relocation centers in America. Wednesday marks the 67th anniversary of the camp's opening. From August 1942 to November 1945, more than 14,000 Japanese-Americans were brought into and out of the Heart Mountain Relocation Camp.

While the experiences of World War II veterans and Japanese-American internees certainly differ, both groups were forever changed by the war. On Saturday, veterans and former internees will be recognized during two separate events.

The Wyoming World War II Memorial will be dedicated at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Park in Cody. Later that day, a 3 p.m. program will highlight the progress of the Heart Mountain Relocation Interpretive Learning Center.

As home to the veterans' memorial and forthcoming interpretive learning center, Park County becomes a place for future generations to learn about the people, events, tragedies and heroism of the Second World War — a history we must not forget.