Spotlight On: Memorializing Soldiers & Sailors – Virtual Event

Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum

Spotlight On: Memorializing Soldiers and Sailors

May 13, 2021     7PM

Virtual Event: Virtual Event – Join us on Facebook or YouTube

Memorial Day traces its origins back to the Civil War. This program will examine the history of Memorial Day and the traditions related to how the fallen are treated on and off the battlefield before reaching their final resting place. Historian John Heckman will discuss burial procedures employed during the Civil War, the similarities and differences in the WWI era, the origin of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Quartermaster Graves Registration Service during WWII. Soldiers & Sailors Curator, Michael Kraus will share stories about artifacts from the museum’s collection related to memorializing soldiers and sailors. Please join us to learn about the significance of Memorial Day and pay tribute to those who gave their “last full measure of devotion”.

Michael Kraus – A well-known Civil War historian, Kraus currently works as Curator/Historian for Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. His accomplishments include several historical consultant credits for major films, writing and narrating the documentary series Civil War Minutes and Civil War Life as well as authoring articles and books regarding the conflict. Michael also is an accomplished sculptor with an impressive resume of historically themed works in bronze.

John Heckman – John is an ambitious historian who wants to make a mark not only in the field of history, but in society as well. He once paved roads for a living. Now he works to pave ways for his peers to understand history and the world around them.