Virginia WWI and WWII Commemoration Commission

December 19, 2016

The modern weapons and tactics of World War I produced unprecedented conflict and carnage in Europe. France suffered the devastating effects of the war being fought on its soil, including a severe humanitarian crisis resulting from the bombardment of villages near the constantly-moving front lines. With the local village doctors away fighting at the front, the rural civilian population--already ailing from malnutrition and disease--were left even more vulnerable to illness and...

December 15, 2016

I spent an afternoon last week amongst American heroes. The whole time I was aware that it was almost certainly the last chance I’d have to enjoy such company. The occasion was “Dawn of Infamy — America Goes to War,” a commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the U.S. declaration of war on Japan, the day after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. It was a gathering at the University of Richmond of veterans, history buffs and those who appreciate the...

December 14, 2016

As part of an ongoing project undertaken by the commonwealth of Virginia, Nelson County participated last Thursday in a statewide simulcast marking the 75th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War II. The tribute to World War II veterans, titled “Dawn of Infamy: America Goes to War,” took place at the University of Richmond; the Nelson simulcast was shown at Nelson County High School. “It was beautiful; it really was,” said Maureen Kelley, Nelson County economic development director. “It was well...

December 08, 2016

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- They arrived from the four corners of Virginia. Aging veterans answering one last call of duty. Each of the veterans who filed into the University of Richmond has a rich story to tell. In the works for nearly two years, the World War I and World War II Commission’s “Dawn of Infamy” shined the spotlight on veterans from legendary battles from Okinowa and The Battle of the bulge to Iwo Jima and D-Day. In one of the last large gatherings of its kind, nearly 100 veterans embarked...

November 29, 2016

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Virtual Curation Laboratory (VCL) has been live since 2011. Originally as a means of recording American Indian artifacts for research and preservation, the project was started by Dr. Bernard K. Means of the University’s anthropology department. 5 years later, the online library now collates a host of 3D scanned objects including excavated animal bones and, most recently, a Thanksgiving dinner. This December, VCL will demonstrate its 3D scanning techniques...