Kanawha Libraries to Host WWII Programs

As Veterans Day approaches, the Kanawha County Public Library is planning a slate of programs for all ages in observance of World War II.

Revisit Life on the Home Front with Molly: An American Girl

Dunbar Branch Library, 766-7161: Friday, Nov. 16, 3 p.m.

Molly McIntire, the main character of one of the American Girl series of children’s books, lives in the suburbs during 1944 while her father is stationed in Europe. Learn about life for families during World War II through crafts and games. Grades K – 6 Registration required.

History Alive! Col. Ruby Bradley

Dunbar Branch Library, 766-7161: Friday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m.

Col. Ruby G. Bradley of Spencer retired from the U.S. Army in 1963 as one of the most decorated women in American military history. She began as an Army nurse in 1934, served in the Philippines in 1941, where she was captured by the Japanese after Pearl Harbor, and was a P.O.W. until February 1945. Bradley served in the Korean War as chief nurse for the 171st Evacuation Hospital, before being named chief nurse for the Eighth Army in 1951, where she supervised more than 500 Army nurses throughout Korea.

Bradley is portrayed by Becky Bolte in the Chautaqua style. She will present a monologue about the life and career of Bradley, then answer questions in character. Afterwards, Bolte will break character and answer questions about Bradley from a contemporary perspective.

This is a West Virginia Humanities Council program and is supported with additional financial assistance from the Office of the Secretary, West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts. All ages Registration required.

Their Day, Their Stories, Their Experiences: Celebrating Our Local Veterans

Main Library, 343-4646: Sunday, Nov. 11, 1 – 4 p.m., John V. Ray Room

Whether it was on the front lines or behind the scenes, men and women have had life-changing experiences during wars. Veterans from World War II through the conflict in Iraq will share these experiences in a special Veterans Day program at the Main Library. Special guest will be William Wintz, local historian and veteran, who will sign copies of his World War II memoir All the Way. All ages Registration required.

Salute to American Veterans

St. Albans Branch Library, 722-4244: Monday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m.

Retired Col. Richard Carvell will pay tribute to veterans who sacrificed for our nation in times of war. Coverage will include the involvement to save South Korea during the Cold War; the determination to stop the imposition of Castro’s Communism throughout Latin America; Col. Carvell’s Green Beret experience in Viet Nam; and a tribute to our soldiers who fought Desert Storm. All ages.

Videotaping Your Family History

Cross Lanes Branch Library, 776-5999: Tuesday, Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m.

St. Albans Branch Library, 722-4244: Thursday, Nov. 15, 6:30 p.m.

Jennifer Sias, librarian and associate professor at Marshall University, will talk about how various digital technologies may be used to preserve family and community stories. She will share examples of digital storytelling from her own practices and from her students’ projects, which focused on the stories of veterans and became part of the Veterans History Project sponsored by the Library of Congress. Adults Registration required.

A History of Women in the Military

Main Library, 343-4646: Wednesday, Nov. 14, noon (patrons may bring their lunch)

Retired Col. Pauline Shaver will discuss the history of women in the military. Col. Shaver and her daughter, Joy, are of the Desert Storm era, where Shaver served as medical support. Shaver was the first female colonel in the West Virginia Army National Guard, and she and her daughter are, to their knowledge, the first mother- daughter team to serve in the Army Guard in the United States. Joy returned from Iraq with a Bronze Star. Adults Registration required.

Free Family Movie

Dunbar Branch Library, 766-7161: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 3 p.m.

Based upon a character in a popular series of children’s books, this family movie details life on the Home Front during World War II. Call the library for the movie title. All ages Registration required.

Ken Burns’ The War: A Discussion

Thursday, Nov. 15, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

West Virginia State University campus, Davis Fine Arts Building

The public is invited to attend a forum discussion of Ken Burns’ documentary The War, led by WVSU professors. Clips from the documentary and clips of interviews with local veterans will be shown by the library, courtesy of West Virginia Public Broadcasting. All ages.

(c) 2007 Charleston Gazette, The. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.