John Cilio- The Lafayette Escadrille- America's Volunteers and Wallingford's WWI Flying Ace- Gervais Raoul Lufbery- Sept 26th, 2018

John Cilio gave an interesting and informative presentation at the Veterans Group on Wednesday, Sept. 26th. 

Above-Author and speaker, John Cilio speaking to veterans, Bob Russell (left) and Lou Hardy (right).





 
Above-Author and speaker, John Cilio speaking to Vietnam veteran, Bob Russell

                                               Above- WWII Veteran, Rudy Pohlman

Below books by author, John Cilio - if you are interested in purchasing any of the titles below, John can be reached directly at Johnvintageflyer@gmail.com where the books can be purchased at presentation cost of about 1/3 off the pric The Aviation books are $20 direct and Women's Work in WWII is $25 including shipping. They are also available on Amazon.   

Military and Veterans History Group June, July, August 2018

Caught up for 2018

I have caught up with posts for each of the programs for the year- and am very much looking forward to C.D. Peterson's talk on the home front- specifically his home front farm on June 27th, 2018.  The paper copies of the newsletter went out today - and I hope to get the online copy out today or tomorrow! Here are some various pictures from the group:

                                          April 2016

                                                   July 2017

May 2018

Mark Albertson- "The Essences of D-Day" May 30th 2 p.m. 2018

Walter Hagedorn- 2 p.m. April 25th, 2018

Mr. Hagedorn provided an interesting view of his experiences, and answered many questions.

The Great Emerson Art Heist- March 28th at 2 p.m. 2018

We had a great program as Kendall Svengalis showed slides and told of the story line of his new book described below!

Shot From The Sky-American POWs in Switzerland-February 28th at 2 p.m.

 We had a good fundraiser selling copies of Cathryn's book. An evaluation was taken of the program and the group found it informative concerning this little known chapter in WWII history. 

Toni Criscuolo- January 31st, 2018 at 2 p.m.

December 2017 WWII Veterans Discussion Group Christmas Party!

Sue who works at the Circulation

Desk made delicious cookies for the party.

 Catherine worked on the table settings. 

Kevin and Fawn did a George Burns, Gracie Allen skit. 

Gerry with Fia "The Yule Dog." 

Dana did the raffle. 

Pattiann and Fia, The Yule Dog  

November 2017- Author and Producer Peter Lyon tells the story of American St. Nick

I was so pleased to be able to have Peter Lyon  here for the WW II Veterans Discussion Group in the month before Christmas. Peter Lion is the author of American St. Nick: A True Story and is a 7-time Emmy winning Producer/Director. He graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 1983 with a BA in Journalism and double minors in English and Communications.
 Below is an excerpt from the newsletter explaining how a group of WW II veterans brought Christmas to a village in Luxenbourg.

Below left: The cover of American St. Nick        Below right: Peter Lyon.

                                                                                 

    American St. Nick: A True Story,  recounts how, during the chaos of World War II, a handful of American soldiers helped bring the Christmas spirit back to the children of war-weary Wiltz, Luxembourg.

Soldiers of the U.S. 28th Infantry Division realize that although the town has been liberated after nearly five years of Nazi occupation, the ravages of war have left  the townspeople with nothing to celebrate the season. For the children, it will be especially bleak without the hope of  candies, treats or gifts on the normally town-wide celebration of St. Nicolas Day.  Days later, the Battle of the Bulge erupts, and Wiltz is over-run. Much of the town is damaged or destroyed. The joy of that one St. Nicolas Day was gone...but not forgotten.

Following the war Wiltz rebuilt and those who survived vowed never to forget the kindness and generosity of those few American soldiers that one St. Nicolas Day. From then on, to honor those soldiers, the Wiltz St. Nicolas Day celebration would include a new tradition: someone would dress not as St. Nicolas, but rather as the American St. Nicolas and recreate his 1944 Jeep ride through town and party after. The tradition has continued more than seven decades. 
Peter's website contains many photos as well as a film of the event and is located at: 
https://www.americanstnick.com/

Photo below: Driving through Wiltz, Luxembourg, December 5th, 1944. 

Photo above: The party for the children inside the Wiltz Castle, Luxembourg—December 5th 1944. 

Below is the newsletter for the November, 2017 WW II Veterans Discussion Group-

An Attempt At Catching Up- October 2017- Tammy Gosselin- Middlesex County Blue Star Mothers

As I've been remiss on posting, and so I'm making an attempt to catch up from last October (2017). Below are some photos sent to me by Barbara Racette- from the October 2017 program.

Below- Tammy Gosselin, Vice President of Membership of the Middlesex County Blue Star Mothers who gave a presentation on what the organization does. Tammy spoke on the wealth of activities performed by this group. The concept for the Blue Star Mothers organization was originated by Captain George H. Maines in Flint Michigan. On January 22, 1942, a coupon was printed in the local newspaper asking mothers of servicemen to fill out and return the coupon. Based on the response, 300 mothers met in the Flint Michigan, Durant Hotel the following February. Captain Maines acted as the Chair at the first meeting. After receiving 1,000 responses from the ad, it was decided to form a permanent organization.  On February 6, 1943 the organization was reported on Congressional record. In June of 1960 the organization was chartered by Congress.  The Blue Star Mothers support each other when their children are deployed and provide support for active duty service personnel as well as assist veterans' organizations.

   (left) The board that Tammy brought showing the many activities of the Blue Star Mothers. 

  Below: The flier for the program. 

             

Above: The October newsletter.