Television: HBO's The Pacific

The Pacific, an HBO 10-part miniseries, will debut March 14 and air Sundays through May 16. Variety called the project, which boasts Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman as executive producers, "the pay cabler's complement to Band of Brothers."

Starring James Badge Dale, Joe Mazzello and Jon Seda, The Pacific is based on Robert Leckie's Helmet for My Pillow (Bantam, $19, 9780553763591/0553763598) and Eugene B. Sledge's With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa (Presidio Press, $7.99, 9780891419198/0891419195). Holds can be placed by Niles Public Library patrons by going to the library's iBistro catalog.

CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell...


Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

Above posting received via email without sources provided.

Veteran's History Project Interview of Norman R. Berkman.

Mr. Berkman served two tours of duty, first in Counter-Intelligence and then in Military Intelligence in Germany after the war.

Dog tag profiling Korean War

This tag was provided by Niels H. K. Larsen, recent president of the Korean War Veterans, Greater Chicago Chapter.

History Channel's World War II in HD Series

Niles staff members recommend this current series. "It's World War II like you've never seen it. In full HD color." The first episode was broadcast November 15

Five Night Event
Continues Tonight at 9/8c

DARKNESS FALLS
Airing November 15

As Europe falls under Nazi control, America is unprepared for war and the attack on Pearl Harbor. The first bloody battles are fought on Guadalcanal and in North Africa.

HARD WAY BACK
Airing November 15

The Allies take on the daunting forces of the Axis, with victory far from certain. Charles Scheffel battles Rommel's forces in Tunisia and Jack Werner faces bitter combat in the northern Pacific.

BLOODY RESOLVE
Airing November 16

The Marines assault Tarawa in one of the bloodiest battles yet waged. MacArthur island-hops and Italy's front lines claim a casualty.

BATTLE STATIONS
Airing November 16

The Allies lay plans for the invasion of France; Bert Stiles and the 8th Air Force attempt to clear the skies over Normandy, while the Pacific remains a quagmire. D-Day arrives.

DAY OF DAYS
Airing November 17

The Allies are bogged down in Normandy's hedgerows in the aftermath of D-Day, while on Saipan, victory turns to horror.

POINT OF NO RETURN
Airing November 17

The Allies race toward Germany as American Marines battle for ground on Peleliu and across the bloody Pacific.

STRIKING DISTANCE
Airing November 18

American forces storm the Philippines while Shelby Westbrook is shot down over Europe. Jack Yusen battles the dangers of the deep when his ship is sunk after a heroic duel.

GLORY AND GUTS
Airing November 18

The Marine assault on Iwo Jima brings horror and glory. Pilot Bert Stiles engages a German fighter with disastrous consequences. Reinforcements arrive in Europe to push the Allies toward victory.

EDGE OF THE ABYSS
Airing November 19

The Battle of the Bulge pushes the Allies to the brink, and Rockie Blunt barely survives the fight. Okinawa erupts as the Japanese make their last stand. Hitler is handed a final ultimatum.

END GAME: Series Finale Episode
Airing November 19

With the end in sight, Okinawa is a bloody obstacle to victory. The third Reich ends with a single gunshot. America delivers the final blow to Japan and the world celebrates the fall of the Axis.

Veteran's Compensation, Application By Living Veteran

Bonus Payment
World War II
A bonus of $10 per month for domestic service and $15 per month for foreign service is payable to a veteran who was a resident of Illinois at time of entering service, served at least 60 days on active duty between September 16, 1940 and September 3, 1945, and received an honorable discharge. Survivors are entitled to a benefit of $1,000, if the veteran's death was service-connected and within the period specified.

Korean, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and Global War on Terrorism (Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom) Conflict Bonus
A $100 bonus is payable for service during one of the following periods:

Korea - June 27, 1950 - July 27, 1953
Vietnam - January 1, 1961 - March 28, 1973
Vietnam Frequent Wind - April 29, 30, 1975
Persian Gulf - August 2, 1990 - November 30, 1995
Global War on Terrorism (OEF/OIF) – on or after Sept. 11, 2001
The claimant must also be in receipt of one of the following medals:

Korean Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Era or the Southwest Asia Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal or the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
The claimant must also be a resident of Illinois for 12 months immediately prior to entering service and have received an Honorable Discharge. Individuals currently on active duty who served in the Persian Gulf may apply prior to discharge by also including the Armed Forces Certificate [PDF, 15KB].

You can download a copy of the bonus application [PDF, 225KB], print it out, fill it in, and mail it to the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs

3rd Annual Veterans History Project Breakfast Photographs

On Wednesday morning, November 4, 2009, Linda Weiss, the Niles Library Director, Morgan Dubiel, President of the Library Board, and Chris Hanusiak, President of the Friends of the Library, welcomed the guests of honor and those present at the community breakfast. The Regency Rehabilitation Center co-sponsored the breakfast and the Battlefield Balladeers provided the musical entertainment on a Lincoln Bicentennial theme. The photographs were taken by Sasha Vasilic.

1st row: Martha Shipp, Walter Tymczuk, Paul Schneller, Sam Schechter, Judith Carlson for Norman Berkman, Charles Matz, Eugene Kopacz,

In the 2nd picture Harry Webber and John DeCecco can be seen sitting to the left of Mrs. Shipp in the first row.


2nd row: Bill Shipp, Niels Larsen, Chuck Jacobs, Matthew Wojtaszek, Max Kolpas, Irving Abramson, Mike Kozyra, Donald Spitzer



3rd row: George Terzian, Irvin Blaszynski, Leonard DeFabio, Kenneth Radnitzer, Matthew Potoczek, Don Lewan, Bob Dauber, Richard Vana,

Tom Vana, Martin O’Grady, Robert Crandall, Russell Zapel.

Gus Habighurst, who also attended the breakfast, appears in the last picture

3rd Annual Veterans History Project Breakfast Invitation

Veterans History Project Interview, Matthew Potoczek

Veterans History Project Matthew F. Wojtaszek

Mr. Wojtaszek's interview can be read, listened to, and searched at http://www.nileslibrary.org/world-war-ii-europe

Veterans History Project Interview, August B. Habighurst

Veterans History Project Interview Sol J. Schatz

Veterans History Project Interview

Veterans History Project Interview, Irving Abramson

Maine Township Veterans Benefits Advocacy Office

"Maine Township recognizes that some members of our veterans community may occasionally need assistance, and we are here to help. General Assistance has trained staff that act as a clearinghouse for programs sponsored by the Veterans Administration and are knowledgeable about other agencies and programs that may benefit the veteran."

New Post-9/11 GI Bill

Here are the details which include a book stipend.

USA.GOV Web Site

Extensive, clearly organized listing of official information and services available from the U.S. government for U.S. Military Personnel and Veterans. The Benefits to Veterans section breaks down into 23 clickable topics. The 2009 Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors Handbook is available here online.

Fourth of July is Independence Day

Check out the U.S. government's web page replete with histories, flags, quizzes, recipes, and more, even the founding document.

D-Day's Official Histories on the web

Comprehensive annotated listing and links provided by Professor Grace-Ellen McCrann
Chief, Government Documents Division, The City College of New York
(CCNY) Libraries Reference Research and Center.

Annual Niles VFW Post 7712 2009 Memorial Day Observance

Veteran History Project Interview, Richard T. Vana

Veterans History Project Interview, Irbe Hanson

Veterans History Project Interview, Irvin C. Blaszynski

Remembering Our Veterans Display

In cooperation with the Veterans Group of the Family Services Division of the Village of Niles, the library assembled the display from items loaned by local veterans. Al Aronson and Marty Friedman coordinated the collection and delivery of the items to the library. The first floor display can be viewed throughout May.

Veterans History Project Interview, Kenneth Radnitzer

Financial Education for Service Men and Women and Their Families

For Military Personnel and Their Families
The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy has teamed with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation and the Department of Defense on a multi-faceted financial education program serving members of the military and their families.
Key resources and links for military personnel are provided.