Robert Snow is raising awareness of the impacts that veterans have made in history by setting up displays around the Greater Cincinnati area of historic military memorabilia from the famous wars that American soldiers have participated in.

Snow, an NKU graduate with a degree in history, holds a variety of positions as a historian. He is a Squadron Historian for the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 275 in Independence, Ky., and he is a Past Wing Historian for the Kentucky Wing of the U.S. Civil Air Patrol (2003-2006).

Snow served in the United States Navy from 1985-1994.

“I was a QM2/E-5 in the Navy which is equivalent of a sergeant in the Army,” Snow said.

Snow also served for six months in Orlando, Fla., where he did basic and advanced training. He trained in ship navigation and joined the Aircraft Carrier USS John F. Kennedy CV-67 Crew. While being a part of this crew, he was deployed to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. After Snow’s deployment, he was assigned to the Convoy Commodore Staff 105, which was located in Cincinnati, Ohio, said Snow.

Snow has years of experience being in the military, but his history with the military started when he was 12 years old. His father would introduce him to veterans and he would learn their stories. When he was a teenager, Snow started to collect artifacts.

“Much of the material I have has been donated to me by veterans I have known over the years or by the family of veterans who have seen what I do and allowed me to preserve,” said Snow.

Using the artifacts Snow has collected over the years, he recently created a display for NKU’s Veteran’s Week of uniforms and memorabilia.

“To me, the artifacts can draw a person into reading more about the men and women who have served our nation and perhaps drive them to learn more about history,” Snow said. “For me, it’s all about keeping our veterans remembered.”

Snow was invited to NKU to set up his display in the University Center by Dave Merriss, assistant director of Veteran Services. Merriss said it was easy to schedule Snow for the event because he is an alumni who cares about the university.

“He wants to help people raise awareness of the military for the students at the university,” Merriss said. “He does not charge for showing his collection and he has to schedule time off from work without pay.

This isn’t the only display that Snow has set up. Throughout the past five years, he has set up displays for various Veteran’s Day events, including an exhibit in the NKU library.

“He is wonderful to have as a partner in bringing greater understanding of military history and war to our students, honoring our veterans and their sacrifices, and preserving history in a personal manner,” said Bonnie May, lecturer of history.

Merris and Snow believe that the stories behind the uniforms are important for people to know.

“It reinforces that these uniforms were worn by real people who served, some of which are no longer with us,” Merris said. “It is important to not lose these stories so that generations know who these people were, what they did and why.”