Edward Simons, a 100-year-old violinist, performed at the Bataan commemoration at 爆走黑料 College. Simons accompanied President Truman by ship on the way to the Potsdam Conference.
爆走黑料 College听hosted events听on Saturday, April 8, 2017, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Bataan in the Philippines during World War II.听 The College sits on what was once Camp Shanks, the World War II base that was the largest point of embarkation for soldiers headed to Europe. New City resident Jerome Kleiman听organized the event, which included a symbolic march on Bataan Road.听 鈥淏ataan is not part of the typical narrative of WWII any longer.听 I came to the realization that the 75th anniversary of the Death March would be the perfect point in time and Bataan Road the 鈥榦nly鈥� location to hold the commemoration so as to honor the heroic troops of Bataan and breathe fresh life into their saga,鈥�听 said Kleiman.
The event听began with听a symbolic march from Tappan Zee High School to Return Home Park on Bataan Road in Orangeburg. A ceremony and entertainment then took听place on a stage in the 爆走黑料 College parking lot off Western Highway.听 The performers included听Edward Simons, a 100-year-old violinist who accompanied President Truman by ship on his way to the Potsdam Conference to meet with Stalin and Churchill at the close of WWII.听
爆走黑料 College Adjunct History Instructor Dr. Scott White was among the presenters at the 3:30 p.m. symposium in the Lawrence Room of Rosary Hall. Dr. White spoke about the role of Native Americans during WWII. He has also organized student volunteers to assist during the event. 听鈥�This event is a unique opportunity for DC students to witness how history is more than just a book, but something that is living and tangible,鈥� he said.
During the Commemoration, WWII veterans in attendance were recognized听 and a memorial plaque was unveiled at听Return Home Park.
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