Distinguished veterans recollections of Iwo Jima and Okinawa Bayshore Courier News Posted:02/09/10
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Lincroft - Brookdale Community College's Center for World War II Studies and Conflict Resolution will present three featured February events; a special 65th Anniversary Commemoration "Last Battles in the Pacific - 1945," a lecture series presentation, and a Video & Vets feature film.
The 65th Anniversary Commemoration, a free community event, will be held Saturday, February 27 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Warner Student Life Center. Gilmon Brooks will be a featured witness to history. Born into a military family, he was one of the few African American Marines in the formerly segregated branch of service. Brooks' recollections of the Marine landing on Iwo Jima can be heard at the Center's web site, linked from Brookdale's home page: brookdalecc.edu. It is one of thirty-five posted oral histories, each with accompanying video.
Joining Brooks will be veteran Paul J. Frisco who served in the Navy and experienced the Battle for Okinawa. Distinguished veterans will include Thomas F. Mahoney, Carl R. Osterlund and Jeannette Berkery.
The program will also include period music by Down Melody Lane and World War II recollections by history professor and WWII Center director Paul Zigo.
The Center for WWII Studies & Conflict Resolution's Spring Lecture series will open on Tuesday, February 16 with military historian, author and Brookdale professor, Dr. George Reklaitis speaking on "The Great Patriotic War: The Russo-German War 1941-1945." He will trace the German invasion of the Soviet Union from 1941 until 1948, comparing the perceptions of Russian vets and what really did happen on the "Eastern Front.' This event is code XWWTS 211. It is $12 for adults, $5 for students and Brookdale students free.
Kicking off the Spring 2010 Video & Vets screenings will be the February 23 showing of "Merrill's Marauders." A local vet will provide expert commentary. The screening will take place in the Warner Student Life Center from 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm, Monmouth Battlefield room I. The event code is XWWTS 216 and tickets are $5 with Brookdale students free.
Registration is requested for each of the three events, including the free February 27, 65th Anniversary Commemoration, and can be made by calling 732-224-2315.
