Miami Hamilton to honor WWII veterans

October 18, 2006

Douglas Brinkley	John Dolibois	Opportunities to pay homage to living World War II veterans, who are well into their golden years, are fleeting at best. Miami University Hamilton will honor them during a special Colligan History Project Lecture Series event at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26, in Parrish Auditorium.
“This is for World War Two, and particularly D-Day, veterans and their families. These brave men and women are now in their 80s or 90s. How many more chances do we have (to pay tribute to them while they’re still alive)?” offered Dr. Michael Carrafiello, Assistant Dean and Professor of History at Miami Hamilton.

When veterans enter the auditorium that night, the first thing they’ll see is the flag that was waving when they fought – the 48-star U.S. flag.

They will hear former U.S. Ambassador John Dolibois, the last surviving interrogator at the Nuremberg war crimes trials, deliver a special tribute to WWII vets. Then guest speaker Dr. Douglas Brinkley will deliver the keynote lecture about D-Day.

A renowned author and historian, Brinkley got the idea to write his latest book, D-Day: The Boys of Pointe du Hoc, when former U.S. President Ronald Reagan died on the 60th anniversary of D-Day.  The book is based on then-President Reagan’s famous 1984 speech commemorating the 40th anniversary of D-Day.

A 100-foot outcrop in Normandy known as Pointe du Hoc was the number one target for the U.S. and British allied bombardment on June 6, 1944. A single company of elite U.S. Army Rangers scaled the cliff to attack what was believed to be a German artillery battery capable of wrecking the entire beach landing. The guns were not there, but German resistance was. More than half of the Rangers were casualties but they prevailed in one of the most pivotal battles of WWII.

Brinkley is director of the Theodore Roosevelt Center for American Civilization and Professor of History at Tulane University. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and a doctorate in U.S. Diplomatic History from Georgetown University. He lives in New Orleans.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to a great generation. This event is important to Miami University, to the Colligan History Project and to our community,” Carrafiello said.