You are invited to attend a very special event sponsored by Learning Resources Services at St. Cloud State University. On Tuesday, April 8, 2014, Richard Rubin, author of “The Last of the Doughboys: The Forgotten Generation and Their Forgotten World War” will present the story of his research, interviews, and videotapes of nearly three dozen World War I veterans. This presentation is from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the James W. Miller Learning Resources Services building (The Library) at SCSU. Please read on for more details.

It took Richard Rubin months to find just one living American veteran of World War I. He eventually found one. And then another. And another. Three dozen veterans were all that remained, and Rubin interviewed them. His research was done in the United States and France; he searched through archives, private collections, battlefields, literature, propaganda, and even music. These were the final survivors of the millions who made up the American Expeditionary Forces, nineteenth-century men and women living in the twenty-first century. Many kept their stories to themselves for nearly a lifetime, then finally shared them so that these events, these soldiers, and this war would be remembered. Rubin began his research in 2003 and devoted great effort in reaching out to these remaining veterans, in many cases interviewing them two and three times. Their ages ranged from 101 to 113. His book is more than just a war story; it is a story of meditation on character, grace, aging, and memory.

 The Day of Events:

• The day begins with Rubin meeting with a group of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in HIST 445/545: United States Military History (12:30-1:45) as they study World War I;
• From 2:00-3:15, Rubin meets with undergraduate and graduate students from a number of disciplines, the common thread being that they will be conducting interviews and/or working with the elderly.
• After dinner, he will return to the Miller Center Auditorium for his presentation and other activities of the evening, including the Honor Guard from the SCSU ROTC program, songs from the World War I era, and readings by Theatre students of materials from that era found in the SCSU Archives.
• At the end of the evening, Rubin will sign books (a limited number will be available for sale immediately prior to the presentation) and meet the audience at the Reception, co-hosted by students from our Veterans Resource Center.

The intent of this invitation was to select some friends of the university (alumni, current and former faculty and staff, and community members) who have an interest in one of the many aspects of history and St. Cloud State University. This event is open to the public; parking is available at the SCSU Parking Ramp, in the Miller Center pay lot, in the C Lot (no fee), or on the street nearby; and the event is free of charge. Pre-registration for this evening event is required by April 3.

To guide us in planning for seating and refreshments, would you please rsvp your intent to attend to either (320) 308-3177 or e-mail cmberndt@stcloudstate.edu. We are looking forward to having you join us for this event.

Sincerely,

Mark Vargas, Dean

Learning Resources Services