Join the National D-Day Memorial on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at noon for the first installment of 2020’s Lunchbox Lecture series with Jim Triesler, the Director of Education at the Virginia War Memorial.

All lectures are free to the public, livestreamed on Facebook, and held at the Bedford Area Welcome Center‘s Community Room located at 816 Burks Hill Road, Bedford, VA. Guests are welcome to bring a lunch to enjoy during the programs.

Lecture Description:
“Yes, we have swell movies here. Tonight I saw, “Here Comes the Waves,” with Bing Crosby and Betty Hutton. It was swell. I laughed an awful lot in it. What do you mean you’ll take me to a show in ‘46 or ‘47? You better be home before that or I’ll have to talk to the Admiral about it!” This quote is from a letter to Al Miller, from his sweetheart Marion, written on February 8, 1945. It provides a glimpse into life on the home front while loved ones were away at war for the duration. Hollywood films provided entertainment and comfort, plus served as a distraction while the United States was involved in World War II. Using letters, diaries, magazines, newspapers, and interviews, this session will focus on the experience of going to the movies between 1939 and 1945. Which films were the most popular? How were the movies advertised? What role did Hollywood play in supporting the war effort? Come learn about the movies. You will go home feeling “swell!”

Learn more about upcoming lectures at www.dday.org/lunchbox-lecture-series.