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Veterans History Project


News


August 26, 1998
- Telephone conversation withCharles B. McVay IV
I telephoned Charles B. McVay IV at his home in Washington, DC on 26 August, '98 to discuss the activities we are undertaking. In summary, he felt that our efforts to influence the Navy are like spitting in the wind, but any efforts to gain support for H.R.3710 would be welcome. Mr. McVay recommended reading "Fatal Voyage" to obtain a better understanding of the sinking and the cover-up by the Navy. He said that a movie is being made based on the book. He recommended that we get as many supporters as possible to contact their Congressmen to urge support for H.R. 3710. - Donald Lee

December 15th, 1998
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Captain McVay of the U.S.S. Indianapolis
The voters have spoken and our newly elected U.S. Congressman is Joseph M. Hoeffel, 3rd. His address is 1908 Lycoming Avenue, Abington, Pa 19001. Copies of our correspondense the "Charles Butler McVay and U.S.S. Indianapolis Relief Act", HR 3710, will be provided to him with a request that he support further action on this pending bill. Please consider writing to convey your interest in the matter.

June 1st, 1999
- Naval History
A magazine by the United States Naval Institute - August 1998 issue. This issue has two articles about items discussed in prior WW II lectures. Kamikaze Decoy by George Hinckley and Timeline to Justice by Hunter Scott.


August 17th, 1999
- Recent 20/20 Program
You may have seen a recent 20/20 program that featured Hunter Scott who is pushing Congress to restore honor for the captain and crew of the U.S.S. Indianapolis. See article on page 47 of Aug. issue of Naval History and Joint House/Senate Bill. Write or call your congressman to show your support.

October 19th, 1999
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Real Live Seabees are in our area
I spoke with Becky Felten in Senator Greenleaf's office about possible funding for the WWII Lecture series. In the conversation, she mentioned that the Seabee Veterans have an "Island" at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station. I've made contact with the organization and expect to schedule some Seabee stories for sometime next year. They worked side-by-side with the Marines building airstrips and bases as the islands were being taken from the Japanese. Senator Greenleaf was instrumental in getting Senate Resolution No. 21 adopted on February 9th designating March 1999 as Seabee Month" in Pennsylvania. - Donald Lee


July 9th, 2002 - World War II Lecture Institute receives a senatorial citation
The World War II Lecture Institue receives a senatorial citation from Pennsylvania Senator Allyson Schwartz. Click here to see the citation.

June 18th, 2002 - A New Lecture Series has started
The new series is titled "The Preservation of America as Told by those who served." It will be held at the Foxchase VFW Post in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

June 18th, 2002 - Last month's guest speaker Michael Bak
Last month's guest speaker Michael Bak is featured in the following books just recently released on the market: Carrier War by Paul Stillwell & Operation Iceberg by Gerald Astor. These books can be found at Barnes & Noble Book Store on Old York Road in Jenkintown, PA.

May 2nd, 2003 - The Church Door Canteen
The Church Door Canteen - 60th Anniversary. Click here to see photographs from this event.

May 20th, 2003 - "No One Lives For Himself" Memories: 1925-1945
Heinz Beck has approved of our translating his 30-chapter German biography into English and making it available for others to read. In 131 pages of text and figures, he tells the big picture of things that led to war, intertwined with his personal life story from birth to returning veteran.

July 28th, 2003 - Veterans in the Classroom
We are pleased to notify you of a new outreach effort by the World War II Lecture Institute. For the past 5 years, over 70 World War II veterans have spoken to audiences of almost 200 once a month at the Abington Public Library in Abington, Pennsylvania. They are now beginning a service to local high schools and middle schools. The veterans are pleased to share with students their personal experiences in World War II. The veterans, all local, include Air Force, Navy, Army, and Marines. Our first lecture will kick off on Veteran's Day 2003 at the new National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

September 16th, 2003 - Local Newspapers
Check the following newspapers for information about past and future programs at the Abington Public Library: Glenside Life, Glenside News, Philadelphia Neighbors Column, Philly News, and the Times Chronicle all contain information each month about the Abington WWII Lecture Series.

November 11th, 2003 - Veterans Day Program at the National Constitution Center
On Tuesday, November 11th, 2003, the World War II Lecture Institute was invited to the new National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to celebrate Veterans Day. Past Speakers Tony Zanzinger, Donald Lewis, Sheila Martin, Mike Stefanowicz, and Craig Schoeller each gave a short talk about their experiences during the Second World War. We were able to spread awareness of our program to residents of the Philadelphia area.

December 3rd, 2003 - Veterans in the Classroom Update
On Wednesday, December 3rd, 2003 the World War II Lecture Institutes Veterans in the Classroom Project visited Springfield High School. Representing the Abington World War II Lecture Series was Tony Zanzinger, Warren Kimmel, Sheila Martin and Mike Stefanowicz (all past guest speakers). Each veteran was given 20 minutes to speak. There were about 50 students, and all of the students seemed very attentive. The students were particularly eager to see Japanese samurai sword, which Mike brought with him. We will be returning to that high school in March 2004.

February 27th, 2004 - Veterans in the Classroom Update
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, February 23rd, 24th, and 25th, the World War II Lecture Institute's Veterans in the Classroom Project visited Abington High School. Representing the Abington World War II Lecture Series were George Stiftinger, Warren Kimmel, Craig Schoeller, Tony Zanzinger, Sheila Martin, Jack Agnew, Carl Bove, George Hinckley and Ernie Brydon (all past guest speakers). We held four classes each of the three days we were at the high school.

May 15th, 2004 - World War II Seminar
The Old Baldy and Delaware Valley Civil War Round Tables of Philadelphia, along with the Civil War Round Table of Eastern Pennsylvania hosted a World War II Seminar entitled 1944 - Sixty Years After on Saturday May 15, 2004 at the Radisson Hotel on U. S. Route One in Trevose, Pennsylvania. There were three panels consisting of three World War II veterans from the U.S. Army Infantry, U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Army Aircorp along with a keynote address by prominent World War II historian Dr. Thomas Childers of the University of Pennsylvania. We wanted to thank Mike Cavanaugh and all of his volunteers for the wonderful job that they did.

November 11th, 2004 - Veterans Day Program at the National Constitution Center
A total of twelve people from the WWII Lecture Series participated in the National Constitution Center special Veterans Day program for November 11th. Donald Lewis, Sheila Martin, Al Pincus and Joe Reeder participated in the scheduled programs at 10:30 and 11:30 AM, briefly telling their experiences during WWII and answering any questions. Joe Reeder provided two manikins attired in US Army Airforce and German Luftwaffe Fighter Pilot uniforms to draw attention to our table in the grand lobby where George & Lilian Abele, Jack Sky, June House, Mia Grecco and Betty and Donald Lee all "manned the table" to speak with visitors interested in knowing more about our program. Don and Ruth Lewis also helped at the table, providing scrapbooks about his Air Force/POW experience and two return visits to the village in the Tyrolean Alps where his plane was shot down during WWII.

January 18th, 2005 - Help our U.S. Soldiers and the Iraqi people
Any items collected at our lectures will be taken to Tom Murt for shipment to Iraq. Future contributions should be shipped as noted below. Here is a list of critically needed items suggested for donation to our soldiers serving in Iraq as well as for the Iraqi people. You can pack and mail them to 2LT Ebrina Conteh S-5 / Civil Affairs, OIF3, FOB SPEICHER, APO AE, ZIP CODE 09393.

Soldiers need: brown or black work gloves; Chap stick; dental floss; deodorant; disposable razors; powdered drink mix; haircutting items; headphones for CD players; fruit juices; mouthwash; nail clippers; neck gaiters; magazines; paperback books; shampoo; shaving cream; skin lotions; snack items; soap; toothbrushes and toothpaste; tuna fish (in foil envelopes) and white athletic socks.

Iraqi people need: new or used adult and children clothing; balls for playground use; candy; Chap stick; crayons and markers; deodorant; disposable razors; new or used dolls; gloves; hats; peanut butter; perfume bottle remnants; school items; shampoo; shaving cream; children and adult shoes; skin lotions; snack items; soap; socks; stuffed animals; toothbrushes and toothpaste; toys and trinkets.


March 19th, 2005 - Second Annual World War II Seminar
The Delaware Valley and Old Baldy Civil War Round Tables of Philadelphia and the Civil War Round Table of Eastern Pennsylvania hosted the second annual World War II Seminar entitled "1945 - Sixty Years After" on Saturday, March 19th, 2005 at Williamson, Route 611, Horsham, PA. The Program Director, Mike Cavanaugh, will presented a check to the WWII Lecture Institute. We thank Mike and all the volunteers for their excellent work.

June 21st, 2005 - Non-Profit Organization of the Year
The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce has selected the Abington Free Library WWII Lecture Series as the "Non-Profit of the Year" and has asked Donald Lee to accept the award for the library at the Annual Awards and Induction Dinner on July 21, 2005 at Talamore at Oak Terrace country Club in Ambler. Both the Abington Free Library and the WWII Lecture Institute will have tables at the Awards Dinner.

June 21st, 2005 - Jack Agnew in Russia
Jack Agnew participated in a "Defeat of Facism" celebration in Russia with members of a program called "The Climate of Trust" designed to bring Russian and U.S. law enforcement officials, educators and community leaders together in a world-wide effort to combat hate and intolerance. A Russian delegation from the Stavropol and St. Petersburg regions attended the first Climate of Trust training in the Los Angeles area April 9-15, 2005. As part of the program, Jack Agnew and the Los Angeles Climate of Trust team traveled to Russia to continue their training to a larger audience. Since their trip to Russia coincided with the 60th anniversary of the defeat of facism in Europe, the Los Angeles team participated in a "Defeat of Facism" celebration in Russia. Jack was one of two World War II US veterans joining the Los Angeles Climate of Trust team. The other veteran was Larson Sakai from the 100 Infantry Battalion, 442 Regimental Combat Team.


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