Lincoln Presidential Library honors the military
As Memorial Day nears, library plans events on Vietnam, World War II and Illinois military history

[May 08, 2015]  SPRINGFIELD – The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will look back at key moments in military history with three special events in May. One explores the fall of Saigon 40 years ago, another features a paratrooper’s memories of World War II, and the third offers a behind-the-scenes look at military material in the library’s collection.

Here are details on the three events:

May 19
Stories from the Stacks: Soldiers and Veterans Organizations

Our series on rarely seen items from the library’s vast collection continues with a look at material related to soldiers and veterans groups. The wars range from the American Revolution to Vietnam, and the highlighted groups include the Grand Army of the Republic, Daughters of the American Revolution and more.
Free; event begins at 5:30 in the library’s Multi-Purpose Room.

May 19
Vietnam: First Encounters

A panel discussion on the fall of Saigon in April 1975. Panel members include Tom Jones, a Navy Corpsman assigned to the Marines; Tom Bowman, an Army enlisted man; and two Vietnamese boat people, Patrick Lam and Pham Thien Khoc, an officer in the South Vietnamese Army. Moderated by Mark DePue, head of the presidential library’s Oral History Program.
Free; doors open at 6, event begins at 6:30 in the museum’s Union Theater.

May 26
A Screaming Eagle Remembers
World War II

Vincent Speranza of Auburn, Ill., was a member of the fabled 101st Airborne and a veteran of the division’s historic stand at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. He will share his memories of that battle and the rest of the war, and will sign his recently published memoir, “Nuts, A 101st Airborne Division Machine Gunner at Bastogne.” Moderated by Mark DePue.

Free; book-signing begins at 6, presentation begins at 6:30 in the museum’s Union Theater

To reserve seats, visit www.PresidentLincoln .Illinois.gov  and click on “special event reservations.” Or call [phone].

“With the 150th anniversary of the Civil War’s end behind us, this is an appropriate time to reflect on other important moments in American military history,” said Eileen Mackevich, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. “Our collection includes some fascinating items that will help visitors connect with the past, and we’re always looking for more material. Perhaps someone who attends these great events will be inspired to make a donation.”

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum holds an unparalleled collection of Lincoln documents, photographs, artifacts and art. It also has some 12 million items pertaining to all aspects of Illinois history, making the library one of the nation’s top places for genealogy and history research.

The library and museum opened April 19, 2005. For details on activities and events celebrating our 10th anniversary, visit www.TenYears Lincoln.com.

[Chris Wills, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum]