The Normandy Invasion, 6 June 1944, is widely considered by military historians to be the greatest amphibious operation of all time. Yet, it might not have succeeded if not for the use of the ingenious Mulberry Harbors and the efforts of Naval Reserve Commander Edmund Moran, a renowned expert in towing large vessels. The harbors, a series of concrete breakwaters, submersible pier-heads, and floating causeways, were towed across the English Channel from ports in England and sunk in place off the invasion beaches under the guidance of Commander Moran. U.S. Navy Seabees astoundingly deployed a complete harbor under deadly fire within forty eight hours after the first combat units charged the beaches of Normandy France. Come and listen to naval historian J. Wandres tell this fascinating story!
Tues, October 13, 7:30pm -9:30pm, Navesink I, StudentLifeCenter
Fee and Code:$12 adults, $5 students, Brookdale students free, XWWTS 201
"REMEMBERING WORLD WAR II IN HOLLAND: A CHILD'S PERSPECTIVE"
MIEKE JANSMA
WARTIME SURVIVOR ANAD WRITER
Children are the most innocent victims of war and their stories are seldom told. Yet their experiences during wartime shape the rest of their lives. Mieke Jansma’s earliest memories are of the German invasion and occupation of her native Holland when she was a small child. Her home was demolished by the Germans and turned into a military defense point. She and her family survived bombings, tiptoed through minefields, and continually fought starvation. Decades after the end of the war and after moving to the United States, Ms. Jansma began the painful process of coming to terms with her childhood memories. Hear her compelling story which teaches us much about the impact of war on children, both during the conflict and afterwards.
Tues, October 27, 7:30pm -9:30pm, Navesink I, StudentLifeCenter
Fee and Code:$12 adults, $5 students, Brookdale students free, XWWTS 202
"RISE AND USE OF ELECTONIC WARFARE IN MILTARY OPERATIONS"
JOHN CERVINI
FORMER CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE, US ARMY INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION WARFARE DIRECTORATE, FORT MONMOUTH
The development of electronic warfare is often overlooked in the histories of World War I and II. John Cervini will trace the history of electronic warfare and how it contributed to the advancement, in particular, of the US military. His focus will be on the major technological developments fielded during the Second World War, many of which were developed right in Monmouth County, NJ. Mr. Cervini currently is the industry liaison for the InfoAge Science and Learning Center in Wall, NJ.
Tues, November 3, 7:30pm -9:30pm, Navesink I, StudentLifeCenter
Fee and Code:$12 adults, $5 students, Brookdale students free, XWWTS 203
"SWING ERA" DINNER AND DANCE
2009 THEME: "SOUTH PACIFIC"
FEATURING CONDUCTOR JOE ACCURSO AND THE BROOKDALE BIG BAND
Come and enjoy a very special night of dinner and dance and return to a nostalgic period which favored music that spoke to the heart and touched one’s soul. Dance the night away to Moonlight Serenade, You’ll Never Know and Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree. Jitterbug to In the Mood and String of Pearls. Special tribute will be paid to the 1949 World War II related play South Pacific which is generally considered to be one of the greatest musicals in history. Several of its songs, including "Bali Ha'i," "Some Enchanted Evening," and "Happy Talk" became worldwide standards. Join conductor Joe Accurso and the acclaimed Brookdale Big Band and celebrate a time when all were young. Cash bar available at 6pm, dinner at 7pm, music and dancing throughout the evening. All are welcome – 40’s style dress encouraged.
Fri , November 20, 6:00pm -10:00pm, Gibbs Hall, Fort Monmouth
Fee and Code:$55 per person , XWWTS 204
"HIDDEN HISTORY - RADAR DEVELOPMENT: SANDY HOOK, NJ 1933-1942
MICHAEL EBERHARDT
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY INTERN,
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
During the 1930s and the tense years leading up to World War II, the US military sought to develop the ability to detect, track, and engage enemy ships and aircraft by making use of a new technology called “radar.” The development of radar for the US Army was tasked to the Signal Corps based at Fort Monmouth, NJ, and the project for security and logistical reasons was developed at Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook. Constant ship and air traffic in the area provided numerous targets on which to test, develop and refine radar operations. Radar became the primary “early warning” device for the US Coastal Defense. Come and hear the links between local history and development of one of the most important technologies of World War II, all here-to-fore cloaked in secrecy until Mike Eberhardt’s penetrating research.
Tues, December 1, 7:30pm -9:30pm, Navesink I, StudentLifeCenter
Fee and Code:$12 adults, $5 students, Brookdale students free, XWWTS 205
MIEKE JANSMA
FEATURING CONDUCTOR JOE ACCURSO AND THE BROOKDALE BIG BAND