London Statue of Edith Cavell, World War I Heroine

Honoring the English nurse slain in Belgium, this statue stands just up from the apron of St. Martin's-in-the Fields Church at the northeast corner of Trafalgar Square. Her message to humanity reads," Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards any one."  Miss Cavell is profiled in Kathryn Atwood's book, Women Heroes of World War I.

Women Heroes of World War I March 11, 7pm Niles Library Program

 

Chicago area author Kathryn Atwood returns to the Niles Public Library, 6960 W. Oakton St., for a Women's History Month Program on Wednesday, March 11, at 7 pm to discuss her new book, Women Heroes of World War I: 16 remarkable resisters, soldiers, spies and medics, in a 50-minute slide-lecture, presented in the first floor meeting room. 

The Atlantic and National Geographic current issues present difficult cover stories

Why Do The Best Soldiers in the World Keep Losing is the question posed on the cover of The Atlantic, January/February 2015 issue. The feature article, written by James Fallows, is entitled, The Tragedy of the American Military, pp. 73-80. Two shorter, related articles follow, Gun Trouble, where Robert H Scales questions the safety of the "flawed" M4, and in How I Learned to Love the Draft, Joseph Epstein argues for the reintroduction of the draft.

 The current issue can be read on the 3rd floor of the library or at this time via this link.



Healing Our Soldiers: Unlocking the Secrets of Traumatic Brain Injury by Caroline Alexander with photographs by Lynn Johnson.pp.30-53 is the cover story of the latest issue of National Geographic magazine.

The current issue can be read on the 3rd floor of the library or at this time via this link.

Presidential Memorial Certificates

Niles Library's Business Services Librarian, Judith McNulty,  points out that since 1962 these
engraved paper certificates, signed by the  President, have been issued upon request to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased Veterans. She received the certificate below for her father who was a World War II Navy veteran.

 

 History

This program was initiated in March 1962 by President John F. Kennedy and has been continued by all subsequent Presidents. Statutory authority for the program is Section 112, Title 38, of the United States Code.

Family may contact  this US Department of Veteran Affairs  program or use these instructions

Rest In Peace, Irvin C. Blaszynski, Niles World War II Veteran

Irv was a  US Coast Guard veteran and proud to have sailed the international seas --  Atlantic, Mediterranean, Pacific, and East China  aboard the  "Ramblin' " USS  Rhodes 384. He died on December 14, 2014.
There is a link to his obituary via the Skaja Funeral Home webpage .

A 2007 participant in the Veterans History Project, Irv's interview transcript can be read and heard via the Niles Public Library webpage.

The Four-legged Heroes also found in the the U. S. Marine Corps History Division Casualties Database

Loyal dogs who.... (AP photo)

Dogs and horses who served nobly with the armed forces are a popular subject for current non-fiction authors. Interestingly, dogs who served with their Marine masters during World War II are entered in the U. S. Marine Corps History Division Casualties Database.  More than 60 canines, primarily Doberman Pinschers are listed, most with the rank of Private.

Here is a selection of some of the new titles about heroic animals in wartime.

Their availability and that of related titles can be determined by checking 
 the library's catalog.

" Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red," London's splendid World War One observance at the Tower of London

Close-up of the 888,246 ceramic poppies which were  available for purchase via this internet website.

  Created by Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, each represented a British military fatality in the war, 

and all have been sold!