If you are looking for something unique and interesting to do during the coming Labor Day Weekend, an 11 AM stop at the Vermilion County War Museum on Saturday (Aug 30th) would be a good idea.
Earlier this year, former DHS and current Schlarman Academy teacher Lori Woods was working with the Albert H. Small Normandy Institute through George Washington University. Woods applied for a special trip overseas, and needed to recommend a student to apply with her. She chose DHS sophomore-at-the-time Bailee Easton.
AUDIO: The teacher has to have the resume to show that they’re capable of guiding their student through collegiate level research, because we’re kind of their mentor in this.
And so collegiate level research began on essentially two different projects. The first was researching someone from Illinois who is buried at Normandy. They chose Vermilion County native Leslie M. Irvin, who lived in Danville at the time of his enlistment. What was Private First Class Irvin’s role in D-Day at Normandy? Woods says, just watch the very beginning of a well known Steven Spielberg movie.
Lori Woods and Bailee Easton explain their project to the Danville District 118 School Board earlier this year.
AUDIO: What he was doing is kind of what Spielberg used as his inspiration for the opening of the invasion scenes in Saving Private Ryan. He modeled that off the 2nd Ranger Battalion.
A completely separate project that teacher Woods and student Easton worked on was the topic of African American soldiers’ roles in World War II. Woods says, the simple fact is, that should be talked about more and shown more.
AUDIO: And like how they’re often overlooked; when you see the movies and stuff; the roles they did have that were important aren’t often showcased.
Woods and Easton were chosen for the special trip; stopping first at George Washington University June 17th through 22nd, and then moving on to Normandy from June 23rd through July 2nd.
The presentation on their work by Woods and Easton Saturday at the Vermilion County War Museum, is scheduled for 11 AM to 12 Noon.
