Over the last year I and 17 other teachers from around the country have studied World War Two and how we memorialize the sacrifice made by those who died in the war. The American Battle Monuments Commission, National History Day, and The Ray Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media have sponsored this program. I can confidently say this was the best learning and teaching experience of my career so far! Not only did the Professional Development and research enhance my interest for and love of history, but it also got me to think deeper about the ramifications of the War, the psychological aspects of war, and other ideas. This work has allowed me to work with students and help make history come alive to them in a way that is relatable and emotional. I can't say enough great things about this program!
My project started with the connection I made to Bob Madore. After hearing of my acceptance, Bob called me and told me about his Dad, Harvey who was killed in the war and is buried in the Epinal American Cemetery in France. The Madores are from Augusta and this made it easy to meet Bob and learn about his Dad. I did some online research and made use of resources from the National Archives and the US Army in addition to the the Oral History provided by Bob. Bob was also gracious enough to meet and tell his Dad's story to my students. My students then planned an assembly to honor the sacrifice of Harvey Madore and another local Fallen Hero. The culmination of our work is to create a lesson plan that is connected to Harvey and to publish a brief biography of him on the web site. The final piece in supporting this work is the upcoming trip to visit World War Two related historic sites and American Cemeteries in Europe. When I visit Madore's grave, I will be recorded delivering a brief eulogy for him. This blog is meant to chronicle this trip.
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| (Harvey Madore) |
During this trip we will also be visiting the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Italy, and so I was intrigued to meet another family that contacted me. A man named Ford Stevenson from Wayne, ME contacted me about his Uncle, Captain Joseph Ford Berry. He also introduced me to Joseph Ford Murray who is Captain Berry's son. Captain Berry was killed in Sicily and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism. Though I could only select one soldier for the website and the lesson plan project, I also wanted to honor the sacrifice of Captain Berry. As a result, my students learned about both Madore and Berry this year and held an assembly to honor the sacrifice made by both Fallen Heroes. I have a brief eulogy planned when I visit his grave as well.
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| (Joseph Ford Berry) |
Once I heard we would be visiting the Rhone American Cemetery as part of this trip, I knew I also had to deliver a eulogy for 2 other Fallen Heroes. Over the last few years my students have learned about the sacrifice made by George Arsenault of Rumford, ME and Lewis Frelan Goddard of Knoxville, TN. Arsenault's brother, Leo, visited my school in 2012 and one of my students completed a project telling George's story. We were fortunate to visit George's grave in 2013 and one of my student's gave a presentation honoring George's sacrifice. Knowing I was visiting again, I couldn't help but deliver a eulogy for him that will also be recorded. Because of Arsenault's story and media coverage, Bob Goddard of Richmond, ME came to my school and told us about his brother who is buried in the same Cemetery. My students learned his story, but this will be the first time I have visited his grave as we only learned about him after we returned from our visit to George's grave. I will deliver a eulogy for Frelan Goddard when we visit his grave at the Rhone American Cemetery as well.
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| (George Arsenault) |
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| (Lewis Frelan Goddard) |
While these eulogies for the four Fallen Heroes I mentioned above are the highlights of my trip, you will also see that we will have a chance to see many other sites on this trip. Some things will be related to the War, and some things won't. I hope you enjoy reading and seeing some of the things I will experience on this trip. Feel free to make comments or ask questions! Enjoy!
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