Poetry and Proverbs
By Russell Horton, Reference Archivist “If I die a prisoner of war, I would like to have this diary sent to my Father, A. Ingersoll, Waupun, Wis.” -Frank J. Ingersoll, Diary Entry, ca. September 1864 In the first two years of the Civil War, soldiers from either side of the
Finis la Guerre: The Eleventh Hour and the End of World War I
By Kevin Hampton, Curator of History On this Veterans Day, we mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I and a closing of the official centennial commemorations. As the days and weeks around Veterans Day will be busy with various programs and ceremonies, when you hear
Here Lies Lieutenant Wemple
By Gregory Krueger, Curator of Exhibits At the start of the Civil War, Union forces were under the command of Winfield Scott. Scott, an old Army veteran, outlined a plan to defeat the southern states based upon the premise of a naval blockade of southern ports. Hoping to suffocate Southern
Vietnam Veterans Day
On March 29, 1973, the last US combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam, and the last prisoners of war held in North Vietnam returned to American soil. Since then, Vietnam Veterans Day has been established to welcome home Vietnam veterans, acknowledge their service and remember the men and women who died during the Vietnam
A Veteran’s First Vehicle: Incorporating the Automobile into the Army during WWI
By Bobby Brito, Oral History Intern The Great War inaugurated the twentieth century, while the proliferation of the internet can be thought of as one of the events that bookended the twentieth century. Conventional conversations would not typically involve both events in relation with each other. However, through my work
Holiday Greetings from the Field by Mary Kate Kwasnik
A wise man once crooned that this is the most wonderful time of the year. As the winter holidays roll in, cheer seems to surround us. Coffee shops break out their festive red cups , the radio croons out classic holiday songs and the city is suddenly frosted in tiny,
“Walking Point with London” by Kylee Sekosy
Just as servicemen and women often befriend one another, war dogs and their handlers often share a deep bond from their experiences in combat. James Hooker, a Wisconsin veteran of the United States Marine Corps, spent three full tours of service in Vietnam. A young man “tired of school” and
The Life and Letters of World War I Aerial Observer Lt. Mortimer M. Lawrence – January 1918
No. 1 Det. Aerial Observers A.E.F. Dear Folks:- This is not going to be much of a letter for the simple reason that there is nothing to write. Of course there is lots I’d like to say but it is no use for it will be all cut out.
The Life and Letters of World War I Aerial Observer Lt. Mortimer M. Lawrence – December 1917
Christmas Day Dec. 25, 1917 Dear Mother:- Received your night letter this morning. Thank you for all your good wishes. I hope you received my message O.K. We had our Christmas dinner at three o’clock this afternoon and it sure was a dandy. I enclose my place card &