Jim Cochran discussed his memories of Vietnam at the July meeting of the Upper Vandalia Historical Society.

Jim Cochran of Bancroft was the speaker at the recent meeting of the Upper Vandalia Historical Society, held on Sunday, July 23, at the Bancroft Mission. Cochran served in Vietnam with the Naval Reserve, and later returned as a tourist. He discussed both experiences and how different they were from each other. After the meeting, guests could view a collection of photographs that Cochran took during his recent trip to Vietnam.

The summer quarterly meeting of the Upper Vandalia Historical Society also featured a show and tell portion, and the public was invited to bring historical objects of local interest. Some of the items which were brought included a carbide lamp from the Plymouth coal mines, an old book of Putnam County court records; and Native American artifacts, tools, and arrowheads found in creeks on Red House Hill.

Joyce Hanna discussed her uncle Arch, who was born on Heizer Creek and served in World War II. He was also a musician and played with Flatt and Scruggs. Terry McCallister brought a Putnam County dog tax tag from 1917, as well as a medal from a reenactment of the Battle of Phillipi. Betsy Allen brought three antique quilts which had been given to her grandmother, Irene Ambler. Ron Allen brought a crockery jar bearing the inscription, “James M. Poling, Dealer in Dry Goods and General Merchandise, Jackson C.H., W. Va.”

The Upper Vandalia Historical Society meets four times a year to discuss Putnam County and local history. Anyone who has an interest in local history and trivia is invited to attend meetings. For more information about the Upper Vandalia Historical Society, visit http://cclark8399.wix.com/uppervandalia

If you have Facebook, you can also become a member of the “Upper Vandalia Historical Society (Putnam County, WV)” group by going to https://www.facebook.com/groups/431246375713984