Date with History to share stories about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Nov. 4
The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton continues its acclaimed Date with History series with an online program featuring military historian and bestselling author Patrick K. O'Donnell.
He will discuss his 2018 book, "The Unknowns: The Untold Story of America's Unknown Soldier and WWI's Most Decorated Heroes Who Brought Him Home."
The free presentation (via Zoom) is on Thursday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. CST. To receive a link, register in advance at FDMuseum.org.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is sacred ground at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
Constructed in 1921 to hold one of the thousands of unidentified American soldiers lost in World War I, it contains unknown soldiers from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Millions visit the memorial every year.
To lay the Unknown Soldier to rest in Arlington, General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in WWI, selected eight of America's most decorated, battle-hardened veterans to serve as Body Bearers.
He chose them for their bravery and to tell the larger story of America's role in World War I.
In his book, O'Donnell shares the remarkable heroics of the Body Bearers more than 100 years ago.
Their stories fit into the larger narrative of America's involvement in the conflict, transporting readers into the midst of dramatic battles during 1917-18 that ultimately decided the Great War.
O'Donnell is the author of 12 critically acclaimed books recounting the epic stories of America's wars, from the Revolution to Iraq.
A Fellow at Mount Vernon, he is the recipient of numerous national book awards and an expert on elite and special operations units and irregular warfare.
The First Division Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (4 p.m. to close in November and December).
Admission is free with paid parking. Visit FDMuseum.org for additional details.
The First Division Museum, part of the Robert R. McCormick Foundations, promotes public learning about America's military heritage and affairs through the history of the "Big Red One"-the famed 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army.
The museum's main exhibit hall, First in War, transports visitors to the trenches of World War I, the beaches of World War II and the jungles of Vietnam. A second exhibit hall, Duty First, explores the 1ID's history in more recent times.
The Robert R. McCormick Research Center, open to the public, houses the museum's library, archival and photo collections. Outside, tanks from every era are interpreted, along with artillery pieces and a personnel carrier. Solemn memorial markers and commemorative statuary invite quiet reflection.