Niles Historical Society Presents a Sunday, May 24, Memoral Day Weekend Event at 2pm

Ann Bausum's "Stubby the War Dog" Wins Local Literary Prize

The Society of Midland Authors announced their annual awards at their yearly banquet on Friday, May 1, 2015, at Chicago's Cliff Dwellers Club at 220 S. Michigan Blvd.






Ann's "True Story of World War I's Bravest Dog" won the Children's Nonfiction Award. Published by National Geographic in 2014,the 72-page book can be checked out from the shelves of the Niles Public Library's 1st floor Kidspace Collection at J 636.7 B351st.

 


Ann Bausum also published with National Geographic an adult version of  239 pages which can be checked out from the 3rd floor
shelves at 940.41273 B351se.

FOLD3 Announces Free Access Until May 15 To Mark V-E Day, May 8, 1945

FOLD3,the military records website - now "by Ancestry," provides access to 72 million military records including

 

• Missing Air Crew Reports, WWII
• WWII US Air Force Photos
• WWII “Old Man’s Draft” Registration Cards
• WWII War Diaries

Traditionally, the third fold in a flag-folding ceremony honors and remembers veterans for their sacrifice in defending their country and promoting peace in the world

Finishing the Story, an upcoming library genealogy and history program

 World War II researcher and author, Jennifer Holik, explores the lives, service and deaths of 3 soldiers using genealogical, military and historical records and demonstrates how to write the story of a soldier.  She will also point out the numerous military records and resources available to researchers confronting the "All the Records Burned!" challenge.

 

This author-lecture event will take place at the Niles Public Library on Sunday, June 21, at 2 pm. 

Further information about the program can be gleaned from the author's website.

2015 Call for Chicago Honor Flight

World War II and Korean War Veterans from Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana are invited to participate in this year's flight to experience an unforgettable day in Washington, D.C. at no charge. For further information veterans should contact Honor Fight Chicago at 773-227-8387 or www.honorflightchicago.org.

 

"Tam Ky: The Battle for Nui Yon Hill" an upcoming library program

Vietnam veteran and author, Tom Podzol,  will present an illustrated lecture based on his book and his experiences with Charlie Company, 3/21,196th Light Infantry Brigade in 1969.

This author-lecture event will take place on Sunday, May 17 at 2pm at the Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St. The library is located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Oakton and Waukegan.

"The Forgotten War"

R. Conrad Stein of Chicago penned a moving  12-paragraph letter that appeared in the Voice of the People section of the Chicago Tribune on Saturday, April 4, 2015, describing his time at Lane Technical High School in the early 50s when older students faced the prospect of serving in Korea. After he graduated in 1955, he joined the Marine Corps. His recollections of the student body, the military draft and teachers provide glimpses of days now perhaps yellowing in history. In conclusion he observes: "The Korean War remains a forgotten war, fought by a forgotten  generation."

The national Veterans History Project collects and preserves the memoirs of service of America's soldiers so that they are not all forgotten. The Niles Public Library has interviewed 9 veterans who served in  Korea. Their accounts can be read and heard through the Niles Public Library homepage.

Any local veterans who  wish to be interviewed for  the Veterans History Project are encouraged to contact Neil O'Shea , 847-663-6425,  at the Niles Public Library