V is for Veterans

World War I & II Posters

The Brick Store Museum has a total of 498 World War I and World War II posters, the largest and most impressive publicly-held collection in Maine. Most are the gift of the Maling Family. Henry Maling, a Kennebunkport native and Portland businessman, obtained the posters from stores and banks, and his son Ernest later donated them to the Museum.

Brick Store Museum Collection. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Maling, 1952.

The five posters on display here are the gift of the Maling Family. Henry Maling, a Kennebunkport native and Portland businessman, obtained the posters from stores and banks, and his son Ernest later donated them to the Museum.

Brick Store Museum Collection. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Maling, 1952. 2680, 2682.

Woman’s Naval Reserve Uniform

Lieutenant Constance W. (Winchester) Eckel served in the United States Women’s Naval Reserve from 1943 to 1946. Her husband Malcolm William Eckel served concurrently in the United States Naval Reserve as a lieutenant and chaplain.

Brick Store Museum Collection. Gift of The Very Reverend and Mrs. Malcolm W. Eckel, 1995. 1995.81

Purple Heart

The prestigious Purple Heart is given in the name of the President of The United States to any member of an Armed Force or any civilian national of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Services, has been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action. The Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not “recommended” for it, but rather is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria. The Purple Heart on view here was posthumously awarded to Pfc Oliver A. Martin of Kennebunk. Private Martin died in U.S. Army combat in France on September 9, 1944.

Brick Store Museum Collection. Gift of Dorothy Littlefield, 1998.15.1