Mt. Lebanon organizations host virtual World War II roundtable
Mt. Lebanon Public Library and the Historical Society of Mount Lebanon are partnering with the Veterans Breakfast Club for a virtual series examining World War II and the stories of its veterans.
Programs will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Sessions will include topic-based moderated discussions, film discussions and guest speakers. VBC’s Glenn Flickinger and film and art historian Elaine Wertheim will plan the programs and discussions.
To register for one or all the programs, email VBC executive director Todd DePastino at todd@veteransbreakfastclub.com.
The scheduled events are:
- Feb. 23 – Flickinger hosts a program with P-51 pilot Bud Anderson.
- March 16 — Wertheim leads a discussion of “Bridge on the River Kwai,” the 1957 Academy Award-winning film, directed by David Lean and adapted from Pierre Boulle’s 1952 novel. Starring Alec Guinness, William Holden, Jack Hawkins and Sessue Hayakawa, it examines the brutal conditions that British and American POWs suffered during the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942-43.
- March 23 – Alex Kershaw is the author of several best-selling books, including “The Liberator,” “The First Wave,” “The Bedford Boys and “The Longest Winter.” Joining Kershaw will be World War II veteran Guy Prestia who served in the 45th Infantry Division, which is featured in “The Liberator.” Prestia, of Ellwood City was among the first Army troops to reach Europe through North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio.
- April 20 – A film discussion led by Wertheim.
- April 27 – A discussion hosted by Flickinger.