BRINGING PATRIOTISM INTO THE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY
LEST WE FORGET (LWF) has a goal of preserving, promoting and disseminating the memories of men and women who fought for the freedoms enjoyed by the citizens of the USA. LWF “Brightens the Future by Illuminating the Past.”
“Lest We Forget” is a result of the Lest We Forget WWII, Korea and Vietnam documentaries produced by the Berrien County Intermediate School District in Berrien Springs MI. These videos, produced in 2001-2003, have won national awards for their excellence
In 2006 Lest We Forget became a 501c(3) non-profit organization with the goal of promoting patriotism within the community. Here are some accomplishments and planned events:
LWF Celebration, Nov 5-9, 2006. This celebration featured over 30 hours of veterans’ stories, music, military vehicles and noted speakers. LTG Robert Van Antwerp, a graduate of a local high school and now responsible for Army manpower spoke on patriotism. Robert Heft, who designed the current 50 star American flag, summed up the celebration by saying, “in almost 50 years I have participated in over 9,000 patriotic events and the LWF celebration in SJ was the biggest and finest event I’ve ever participated in.” Several thousand people attended.
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LWF Honors CPT Konstantins Lubavs “Connie” was the first casualty from Berrien County to be killed in Vietnam (Feb 7, 1966) and LWF provided funds for the Konstantins Lubavs room at WMU ROTC. He was a 1962 WMU ROTC graduate and a graduate of Watervliet HS.
LWF Class on WWII. In the fall of 2007 WWII veterans conducted a class at Lake Michigan College on WWII. The classes were enhanced by the personal stories of more than thirty WWII veterans. Over 200 people attended the weekly classes. This popular class has been extended into monthly classes from January through June 2008 under the LMC Community Education Program (see LMC website for class descriptions and registration). This history series will continue with the Korean War in the Fall of 2008 and the Vietnam War in the Fall of 2009.
LWF Veterans History Project. LWF has collected over 85 veteran’s stories that will be made into a book “Wartime Reflections of SW MI Residents” which will be distributed to schools and the stories will be forwarded to the National Library’s Veterans History Project. Publication is planned for June 2008. A follow-on book featuring veteran’s stories from Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan is planned for development and publication.
LWF Booth at BCYF, mall and airport. LWF sponsored a Master Modeler with dioramas of famous battles at the local fair. The display was held in the Historical Building and the attendance was the greatest that they’ve had in the 40 year history of the building. LWF also had booths at a presentation of community agencies at the local mall and for a fly-in for pilots.
LWF Interactive Distance Learning Telecasts with the Berrien County ISD. Each fall and spring the Berrien County Independent School District (BCISD) telecasts the LWF videos of WWII, Korea and Vietnam veterans. LWF provides veterans for these telecasts and they enjoy the opportunity to present their experiences to students and to interact with them. In 2007 over 1000 students in schools across the U.S. participated. The next telecasts will be: WWII on March 13, 2008; Korea on April 24, 2008; Vietnam (High school) on May 8, 2008; Vietnam (Middle School) on May 20, 2008.
LWF Patriotic Concert on Nov 11, 2007 at Howard Performing Arts Center, Berrien Springs.
A “Tribute to Veterans” was played by the outstanding Southshore Concert Band. The program was emceed by Pat Moody of WSJM and included bugle calls by John Nelson, colors by the North Berrien Military Rites Team, a civil war soldier act by historian Robert Myers, comments by Andrews University President Dr. Andreasen and U.S. Rep Fred Upton, a tribute to Fallen and Missing Comrades by Al Pscholka, and a presentation by the French government to John E.N. Howard for his service during WWII. Over 600 people attended.
LWF Bus Trip on March 1, 2008 to the WWII Victory Museum in Auburn, IN. Bus departs LMC at 9 am and returns at 6 pm. An intermediate stop will be made at the Marcellus VFW to view their displays of military conflicts. A lunch stop (cost not included) will be made. Price of admission to the museum varies from free (WWII vets) to $8 for general admission. Bus trip is $30. Seating is limited. Reserve seats, if interested.
LWF Bus Trip in May 2008 (date to be determined) to the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH.
LWF Participation in the Blossomtime Parade on May 3, 2008 (invitation pending)
LWF Participation in the St. Joseph Memorial Day Parade and Service on May 23, 2008
LWF WWII Re-enactment Weekend, June 20-22, 2008. LWF will feature a Friday evening program at Silver Beach’s Shawdowland Pavilion with a tribute to hometown hero Lieutenant General Robert Van Antwerp, an Ernie Pyle re-enactor, a flag presentation by Bob Heft who designed the 50-star American flag, and a commander’s briefings for the Saturday WWII landings. The landings will occur at the Tiscornia Park beach and can be viewed from either the North Pier or a designated safe area on the north side of the beach. A Pacific landing will start at 1000 and be followed by a D-Day landing at 1200. Between these events, the St. Joseph Municipal Band will play period music. The rest of the events take place at the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport in Benton Harbor. There will be displays in the Terminal, a re-enactors encampment, battle skirmishes, and aircraft to observe and ride. Military vehicles will be on display and will also parade through St. Joseph and Benton Harbor in the late afternoon. The evening features a USO show with music by the St. Joseph Municipal Band, video clips of Bob Hope shows, and Andrew sisters re-enactors. Following commander’s briefings on the Sunday skirmishes, there will be a USO dance. Sunday includes an all you can eat pancake breakfast, a non-denominational field church service, and several battle re-enactments. Aircraft rides (B-17, B-25, and UH1-H Huey) will be available for a fee. Volunteers to support these activities may contact LWF at 925-7176 or 982-0151.
LWF Korean War Class at Lake Michigan College from September to December 2008.
LWF Trip to Washington DC and Gettysburg Battlefield, October 1-5, 2008. Trip includes Arlington National Cemetery, the White House, the memorials, the National Cathedral, and a walking tour of the Naval Academy in Annapolis. For further information and reservations, contact Roger Reddel at 983-8747 or Don Alsbro at 925-7176.
LWF Veterans Day activities on November 11, 2008.
LWF Veterans Trip to Vietnam in the Spring of 2009. This 19 day trip will be guided by Huan Le and his wife, Thuc. Those interested in participating should contact Don Alsbro at 925-7176.
LWF Vietnam War Class at Lake Michigan College, September to December 2009.
LWF T-shirts are available in red and black. Call Dale Jeffers at 269-429-3733 to purchase.
LWF meets the first Wednesday of each month at the Heritage Center on Main Street in St. Joseph, Michigan. Please join us! (269)-925-7176
LWF website information can be found at www.lestweforgetswmi.org and information on the June 2008 WWII Re-enactment Weekend can be found at www.in-am.org/ww2
LWF Trip to Washington DC and Getteysburg Battlefield, October 1-5, 2008. Trip includes Arlington National Cemetery, the White House, the memorials, the National Cathedral, and a walking tour of the Naval Academy in Annapolis.
LWF Veterans Day activities on November 11, 2008.
LWF Veterans Trip to Vietnam in the Spring of 2009.
LWF meets the first Wednesday of each month at the Heritage Center on Main Street in St. Joseph, Michigan. Please join us! (269)-925-7176