Transcript of an oral interview with Jill Pitts Knappenberger. She discusses growing up during the Depression, going to college before the war, then volunteering for the Red Cross in 1942, but delaying to stay home with her terminally ill sister before joining in 1943. She first worked in England before going to France. She was able to meet her twin brother, who was also in France just before he died in the Battle of the Bulge. She describes what it was like in the camps at the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge and driving the Red Cross Clubmobile away from the front lines, seeing the Ordruff [Ohrdruf] and the Buchenwald concentration camps and the salt mines at Merkers where the Germans stored a lot of looted money and artwork. She ancedotes about flying in B-17s, getting to drive a Sherman tank and how she felt during her first air raid in London and being in the Battle of the Bulge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Greg Layman. Layman worked in a shipyard in Vancouver, Washington on escort carriers until he turned 18. After his birthday he joined the Navy and served in the Seabees with CBMU 521 spending 20 months on Tulagi improving infrastructure. Three weeks after the Japanese surrender, his unit was sent to Okinawa to build a permanent naval base. Three months later he was sent to the United States and discharged on 24 December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas French. French joined the Navy and received basic training in San Diego. He received hospital corpsman training and was sent to the Solomon Islands, where he participated in evacuating wounded out of Guadalcanal. Patients were transferred with French in DC-3s, or C-47s, along with supplies ranging from toilet paper to hand grenades. French returned to the United States and served as a pharmacist’s mate at Miramar for one year. He then went to the Marshall Islands and on to Okinawa with Marine Fighter Squadron 311 (VMF-311). Bombs fell so close to him there that he experienced a permanent ringing in his ears. He stayed briefly with the occupation forces in Yokosuka, near Yokohama. French returned home and was discharged as a chief pharmacist mate.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Cunningham. Cunningham joined the Army in the spring of 1943 while enrolled at Texas A&M and received basic training at Fort Riley. In the summer of 1944 he was pulled out of engineering training and selected as an infantryman, despite his educational background. He remembers that as a private he was reading and writing letters for his platoon sergeant, who was illiterate. He landed on Omaha Beach six weeks after the invasion and recalls a mess of mass graves. He was sent to Italy, where he joined the 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in Bologna. He spent the winter of 1944-1945 in the harsh conditions of the North Apennines. He sprained his ankle on the way to the front lines at Po Valley and was sent to an evacuation hospital. After recovering, he traveled through Torino in search of his unit. There he saw young and frightened German prisoners-of-war. He found his unit in Milan after the war had ended. Cunningham was transferred to a service company of the 5th Army and oversaw hotels and bars at GI rest areas in the Italian Riviera. He met …

Transcript of an oral interview with William M. Stegall. He begins by speaking about scrap metal and scrap rubber drives he participated in during high school in Fort Woth, Texas. After high school, he volunteered for the Navy and was called into the service in April, 1945. Stegall describes in some detail his experiences while in training at San Diego. When he completed basic training, he was assigned to the USS Robert K. Huntington (DD-781) as a torpedoman and reported aboard right before the Japanese surrendered. Stegall recalls attacking a rogue Japanese submarine. Before the Bikini Atoll atomic tests, Stegall was transferred to a minesweeper and did not go to Bikini. He speaks of celebrating V-J Day in Long Beach.

Transcript of an oral interview with Royal Arlington Wetzel. Wetzel joined the Navy in July, 1943 before finishing high school. After training, he shipped out to New Caledonia where he was assigned to the USS LCI-70. Wetzel served as the ship's cook and he shares various experiences he had aboard the 70.

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 10:00 AM at Abilene Christian University: "How do we help people who seem stuck, without hurting them? These three sessions will introduce the DRAWN coaching model, which combines spiritual direction and coaching best practices. Participants will gain skill and insight in eductive leadership."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 9:30 AM at Abilene Christian University: "This new 75-minute super-session focuses on worship leaders and ministers. Featuring worship leaders form across the country, this forum explores resources for worship planning, music and arranging and other important issues facing worship today."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 4:00 PM at Abilene Christian University: "Is social justice a good idea? This class surveys three prominent approaches to justice – utilitarianism, libertarianism and egalitarian liberalism – from two Christians with different perspectives. Attendees will explore the diverse ways Christian faith informs discussion of social justice."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 8:30 AM at Abilene Christian University: "We often hear about 'moving, meaningful, and authentic worship.' Sometimes what results is greater attention to forming worship than being formed by worship. Come explore worship as moving us towards discernible, active participation in God's mission in the world."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 8:30 AM at Abilene Christian University: "Have you ever felt hopeless and discouraged? Elijah's disappointment with God, and Paul's disillusionment with friends, reminds us of life's low points. Discover how God can turn disappointment into hope and disillusionment into confidence"

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 4:00 PM at Abilene Christian University: "There is much to learn from scripture and experience when it comes to gender roles and Christianity. Explore the paradox of power in relationship from a woman's perspective and from the Garden of Eden."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 4:00 PM at Abilene Christian University: "The lack of church relevance is evident as preachers stare at audiences of apathetic pew dwellers enduring safe sermons. Come hear why glitzy building and worship renovations will not reach this generation. Learn how slam poetry can inspire action on social issues."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 3:00 PM at Abilene Christian University: "Faith is not about being right; it's about being in a relationship. Sometimes having all the right answers is less important than asking good questions. Book signing follows in the Moody concourse."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 8:30 AM at Abilene Christian University: "God expresses love for all nations by choosing a people to bless all the earth. These sessions explore God's concern for all people, the role of God's chosen people for all nations, and God's desire to heal and redeem all people."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 9:30 AM at Abilene Christian University: "Special topics and methods for enhancing general Bible knowledge for the Deaf. Special emphasis on the Old Testament."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 8:30 AM at Abilene Christian University: "Paul and Timothy are role models for deep Christian relationships. They can become role models for Christian prayer life."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 4:00 PM at Abilene Christian University: "Many church planters are forming faith communities different from traditional churches, yet bring people to God and transform lives. Hear three church planters describe their experience of identifying strengths from their heritage and hindrances to reaching outsiders."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 8:30 AM at Abilene Christian University: "Learn how to pour out your heart to God through the Psalms. Powerful yet practical benefits can come through reading, singing, praying and memorizing the Psalms."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 8:30 AM at Abilene Christian University: "Why do churches struggle to follow Jesus as he breaks bread with 'tax collectors and sinners?' One answer highlights the psychological tensions between 'purity' and 'hospitality.' Come hear Beck discuss his recent book on the psychology of missional failure."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 4:00 PM at Abilene Christian University: "Explore the reasons young adults are leaving organized Christian faith. Discover the new opportunities presented to local church leaders."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 8:30 AM at Abilene Christian University: "Since 2006, the Versalles Church of Christ in Matanzas, Cuba, has planted 16 congregations in their province. They average more than 180 baptisms per year. Hear the story of how prayer has opened roads that human effort never could."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 9:30 AM at Abilene Christian University: "Does God have a personal plan for me? If so, how do I discern it? If not, how should I then live? Come examine the role the Spirit, scripture and culture play in discerning God's will today."

Lecture given Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 1:30 PM at Abilene Christian University: "The cross is not just a historical event but a story we live. The cross is not just about saving us but guides us in life. Explore how everything in our lives can be cruciform (shaped by the cross)."