Pritzker Military Museum and Library presents LEST WE FORGET
World War I remains a first for many things: the first major conflict of the 20th Century, pitting two groups of nations against each other; the most mechanized war up to that point; the first war where air power was used; and, for a couple decades only, the bloodiest war on the planet of any time in history.
Doomed to Repeat History?
The premise of this new exhibit rests in the title and its logical antecedent: We will repeat our historical tragedies of war unless we remember the realities, horrors and sacrifices. The personal touch with which LEST WE FORGET is sprinkled is a moving tribute to those who fought, suffered or died in it, the civilians in Europe, the Middle East and Asia who experienced it as no one living on this side of the Atlantic has, and the societies on both sides of the ocean that were changed by it.
While the exhibit focuses on the American experience “over there” from May to November of 1918 the entirety of the spaces gives a helpful, cursory study of the 1914-1918 conflict and its real cost in American lives in the very “short” six months of actual combat on the Western Front. Artifacts, maps and photographs are plentiful throughout the museum’s showcases and sets a tone of reflection even as it educates in the facts. A unique aspect of the museum is the attention given to the people of Illinois and their contributions to the war effort. A total of 351,153 soldiers served in Europe, third of the 48 states at that time – only New York and Pennsylvania had larger contingents.
The Pritzker Museum cooperates with the United States World War One Centennial Commission and, since 2013, has been involved in programming, setting up educational opportunities and activities related to the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the American experience in “The Great War.”
As is evidenced in all historical events, human memory fades and, eventually disappears with each generation’s passing. The last American World War I veteran, Frank Woodruff Buckles, died in 2011, aged 110 years, and the absolute last veteran of any nation, Florence Green of Great Britain, died in 2012, aged 110 years. It becomes essential that organizations like the Pritzker Military Museum and Library continue their work, receive community support and are given the resources to provide programming for ongoing education, lest a people forget its past, so that it can build up its future.
The exhibit opens on Thursday, December 14th with a Member Preview at 5:00 P.M. and public opening at 6:00 P.M.
Visit the Pritzker Military Museum and Library online.
The exhibit will run through the centennial celebrations and into 2019.
Where:
Pritzker Military Museum and Library
104 S. Michigan Ave.
Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60603
When:
Thru January, 2019+
Mondays: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Fridays and Saturdays: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sundays: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Tickets:
Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5
Active Military Personnel (with ID): FREE
Chicago Police and Fire Department Personnel: FREE
Children under 18: FREE
Joseph Anthony Rulli is a transplanted Hoosier, living in Chicago since the fall of 2006. A 1987 graduate of the University of Notre Dame (BA, History) and a 1992 graduate of St. Meinrad School of Theology (MDiv) he taught Social Studies, Religion, Philosophy and History at the high school level. He began writing as a career upon his arrival to his second city and has had two short stories published, a stage play performed, an electronic tour book published online and The Chicago Haymarket Affair (History Press/Arcadia Publishing, 2016) his first print book.
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