Carrabelle History Museum Expands Military Veteran Tribute Exhibit

The Carrabelle History Museum is proud to announce a special addition to its Military Veteran Tribute Exhibit in honor of Veterans Day. Recognizing local men who served in the armed forces from World War I through the Vietnam War, the exhibit has received a heartfelt response from the community and veterans’ families. This year’s featured veteran, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Henry Lowery, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), joins other veterans with deep ties to Carrabelle and Franklin County in a tribute to their courage, service, and sacrifice. The display will be open November 11–29, at the Carrabelle History Museum.
Henry Lowery was born in Carrabelle and graduated from Carrabelle High School in 1967. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 34 years. His distinguished career included two tours in Vietnam and service in the Persian Gulf, Beirut, Lebanon, and Grenada. Henry, who rose through the ranks to Chief Warrant Officer 5, specialized in weapons training and leadership. After retiring, he continued serving others by mentoring young people and supporting veterans and their families. He also helped organize the Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum and later became a founding member of the Big Bend Hospice Valor Team, which honors veterans at the end of life. In recognition of his military service and continued contributions to Florida’s veterans and communities, Lowery was inducted into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame in 2023. His life reflects a lasting commitment to service, both in uniform and beyond.
Henry is a son of Classie Lowery, a beloved community leader known as the “Mother of the Hill,” who raised 26 children, championed education and supported families. His family’s Carrabelle roots extend to Abraham Allen, one of the town’s 19 original founders who signed the 1881 founding petition. Born enslaved and later emancipated, Allen helped shape Carrabelle’s early history. Abraham’s daughter, Laura Allen Wiggins, known as “Aunt Laura,” was a beloved midwife who delivered generations of Carrabelle residents and provided vital medical care when few options existed. Their legacy of perseverance and service lives on through Henry’s dedication to others.
Visitors can explore military artifacts generously shared by veterans’ families and on loan from the Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum. The museum extends special thanks to the veterans’ families, Lisa Keith-Lucas, and the Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum for helping make the exhibit possible.
The public is invited to visit the museum and honor these local heroes. Museum hours are Wednesdays, 12-5 pm ET; Thursdays through Saturdays, 10 am-5 pm ET; and Sundays, 12-5 pm ET. Admission is free, and donations are gratefully accepted.