Saluting more than 100,000 military veterans living in Palm Beach County, the West Palm Beach Library Foundation is proud to present Star Spangled Heroes, a two-month exhibition filled with programming at the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach from October 10 to December 7, 2014. Dorothy and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw serve as Honorary Chairs of the event, with Lesley Hogan and Fred Storch as Event Co-Chairs.
Featuring a roster of supporters including national, state, county and city government officials, Star Spangled Heroes serves to celebrate our residing military heroes while educating both young and old alike on the sacrifices and services our veterans have given every day to preserve our freedoms. Lectures, films, program for kids, essay contest, wall of honor, and much more are planned during what will be one of the longest running series of events honoring veterans in Palm Beach County history. The exhibition and event ends on December 7th in commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Major sponsors are: Sandy and Stanley Trockman; Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, PA; and Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC.
Upcomign programs at the library throughout the special event include:
Meet The Vets
Sunday, November 2nd 1:00 to 4:30pm
Pre-Reception Gallery
Have you ever wondered what the experiences of war were like for veterans? Join the one on one and small group discussions with U.S. veterans from World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq and others periods from the 1940’s to today. Veterans, including former marine Glenn Mize, will present an outstanding collection of memorabilia representing all branches of the service and will share with visitors what each of these items represents.
Perils in Paradise – PBC and WWII
Tuesday, November 4th 6:00 to 7:30pm
Clematis Room
Join Tony Marconi, curator of education at the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, to learn about Palm Beach County’s fascinating involvement and response to World War II. In addition to his presentation, Marconi will share a series of incredible photographs from the 1940’s during the time of war.
Film – THE MEN
Thursday, November 6th 2:00 to 4:00pm
Auditorium
He was one of the biggest stars of his time, but it was 1950 when Marlon Brando made his big screen debut in the film The Men. In the film, Brando plays a WWII lieutenant who was seriously injured in battle and must adjust to the world without the use of his limbs. Veterans and families are invited to view the film and stay for a discussion of the movie after the film.
PTSD/PTSS and Our Veterans
Lunch and Learn Panel Presentation
Wednesday, November 18th 12:00 to 1:30pm
Auditorium
Understanding PTSD/PTSS from the perspective of those who help and those who suffer from it is imperative to living with the disease. The community is invited to bring lunch (beverages and dessert will be provided) and engage in a panel discussion with Elizabeth Borsage, PhD – Psychologist, VA Medical Center, West Palm Beach; Major Raul Diaz, PhD – Supervisory Clinical Psychologist, Team Leader, Palm Beach Vet Center, Greenacres; Elaine Rotenberg, PhD – Clinical Director, Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service, West Palm Beach, about the signs and symptoms, treatment options, and how to help those affected. Please RSVP to 561-868-7715.
Film – SERVICE: WHEN WOMEN COME MARCHING HOME
Sunday, November 23rd 1:30 to 3:30pm
Auditorium
This poignant documentary shows the courage and examines the plight of several women veterans as they transition from active duty to their civilian lives. Through compelling portraits we see the horrific traumas these women faced, their invisible as well as physical injuries and the challenges they face receiving benefits and care. Guests are invited to stay for a discussion after the film.
Closing Day of Exhibition
Sunday, December 7th
Day in Commemoration of the Attack on Pearl Harbor
COUNTYWIDE HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST ON “THE DRAFT” or “U.S. RESPONSE TO OUR VETERANS”
Winning Students and Their Teachers Receive Cash Awards
Submission Deadline: December 1, 2014
For information on the submission format and criteria go to www.wbplf.org/ssh or call 561 – 822 – 9972. Underwritten by Alexander “Sandy” Myers.
Special thanks to Mark Haworth Photography, Sherriff Ric and Dorothy Bradshaw – Honorary Chairs, Lesley Hogan and Fred Storch – Event Chairs, Molly Tischler, Laura Cunningham, Ellie Hart, Maxwell Nelson, Andy Reese, Greg Rydman, Morley Wiener, Madison Harr, Charlotte Rebillard, George Fisher, Mark Cohen, Glenn Mize, Jan Stein, Bob Morse, David Knapp, Event Host Committee Members, Speakers and Panelists, Board of the WPBLF, Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Vinny Ribolitta, Donors of Memorabilia, Amber Butyn, Rebecca Weiss, Chris Murray, Lisa Hathaway and Staff of the Mandel PublicLibrary of West Palm Beach.
Sponsors include: The Palm Beach Post at the Silver level; Surplus Giant, William K. Caler, Jr., Dorothy and Ric Bradshaw, Florida Power & Light, and Wells Fargo, NA at the Copper level, Johna nd Julie Kim at the Gems level; and Diane Peterson McNeal, South Florida Radiology Associates at the Stars level.
The Mandel Public Library is located at 411 Clematis Street in West Palm Beach, Florida. Library hours are Monday to Thursday 9:30 am to 8:30 pm, Friday to Saturday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The Library will be closed on these dates: Monday, October 13 for Columbus Day, Tuesday, November 11 for Veteran’s Day, Thursday, November 28 for Friday, November 29 for Thanksgiving. For more information about Star Spangled Heroes or the West Palm Beach Library Foundation, please visit http://www.wpblf.org, call (561) 868-7715 or e-mail wpblf@mycitylibrary.org.