Edison Community College...
Edison Symposium Brings Veterans History Alive  
April 3, 2012 

An Edison Community College symposium entitled “Library of Congress Veterans History Project” slated for April 10, 2012, at 7 p.m. at the college theatre will feature 18 displays of artifacts from World War II through the Afghanistan War, including a major display from World War II Historical Reenactment Society staffed by volunteer re-enactors Dennis Sullivan and Harry Busse. 

The focus of the program, which begins at 7 p.m. will be presentations by veterans from World War II through the Afghanistan War as they detail the work they did in service to their country. Speakers include retired area school principal Harry Ashburn, Piqua city manager Gary Huff, Piqua attorney Ben Hiser, Greater Love Missionary Baptist Church Reverend Floyd Murray, Red Lobster chef Reginald Hickmon, Edison faculty Stephanie Steele and Edison students Brandon Brown and Will Marsh.   

For this history project, honors students have interviewed 40 area veterans, ranging from age 23 to age 94. Once the interviews are transferred from memory sticks to DVDs and logged, those interviews will be sent to Library of Congress for archiving and posting on the Internet. The DVDs will also be available at the Miami County Veterans Museum in Troy and at the Edison Community College library.

Prior to the symposium, a screening of “World War II on an LST” will be presented by Bradford filmmaker Diana Spitler beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the college cafeteria which adjoins the theatre. An LST is a US Navy vessel designated to transport vehicles and troops, and to land on unimproved shorelines. 

Area quartet Convergence will perform throughout the evening. Additionally, an original musical composition by Timothy Kolker entitled “Thunder Salute” will stir the audience as it is accompanied by a video of Washington, D.C. veterans’ monuments and statues as well as the Arlington tombstones of JFK, Lee Marvin, Audie Murphy, and Medgar Evers among others. 

All events are free and the public is invited to attend to honor the military veterans who have played, and continue, to play a crucial role in our country. Call Vivian Blevins at 778-3815 for additional information. A copy of the entire program is available at the college web site.  

Library of Congress Veterans History Project

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

5:45-6:45 p.m. in the Edison Cafeteria……….Film by Diana Spitler: “World War II on an LST”

6 to 7 p.m.   Viewing of Displays (18) and talking with veterans

7 p.m. Program in theatre……. Music and Speakers

8 p.m. Reception in lobby

8:30- 9:00 p.m. Vivian Blevins meets with veterans and Honor Students in college cafeteria