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World War II Veteran Forced To Close Museum

Maureen Wurtz

GREENWOOD, Neb. (KPTM)- Joe Meehan is used to pouring over war artifacts. "I got stuff in here that you won't believe," said Meehan.

Meehan has been collecting World War II memorabilia for 67 years. "This is a woman's coat. Here's Navy, army."

Now, Meehan is pouring over police reports and flipping through records. "It can be so frustrating; they've been stealing so much stuff from me."

Two break-ins over the last year are causing the 87-year-old history lover to close up his museum. "It feels terrible, no way I could describe how it feels," said Meehan.

In October 2011, Meehan said 30 thousand dollars worth of stuff was stolen. "He kept coming and hanging out up here," said Meehan. "He says, I'll put this on eBay and help you sell it, I won't charge you anything. Well, that sounded too good to be true and it was."

Meehan said the guy photographed everything in the museum, and he has some of those photographs to this day.

"There's his arm," pointed out Meehan.

Photo's are all Meehan has of the thief, because Meehan said last October the man took out the motion lights on the side of the building and broke in through the back entrance.

 Twelve things were stolen, totaling $30,000. Cass County officials said the case is still under investigation, but they've hit a road block on the other theft this past May.

Meehan said a father and son came into his museum, and stole a binder full of coins, worth $10,000.

"And they've taken so much of it, like that, that's a 67 year money collection," said Meehan.

So instead of collecting artifacts, Meehan is gather police reports. "They just don't seem to put no effort in the investigation. No follow up at all."

Meehan said each poster, each pair of boots, and each jacket are one of a kind.

"Everyone one of these pieces has a story of some kind."

Unfortunately, his story might not have a happy ending.