Teachers go to school too (2022)

In late July 2022 Bob had the opportunity to attend the "Medal of Honor Legacy: World War II" conference hosted by Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. Keynote speakers included

Historian David Eisenhower (the grandson of President Dwight Eisenhower and son-in-law of Richard Nixon) speaking about Operation Overlord (the D-Day invasion),
Mae Krier (aged 96) speaking about her job in the defense industry as a riveter in the Boeing aircraft factory during World War II,
Dr. Elizabeth Spalding and Ken Pope at the Victims of Communism Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, and
Cathy Metcalf, daughter of Medal of Honor recipient 2LT Walter Ehlers (USA), speaking on her father's military action and his post-war life as a MOH recipient.

To supplement the classroom instruction, the class travelled to Washington, DC, to visit the World War II Memorial, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the newly opened (June 13) Victims of Communism Memorial Museum. Instruction was also given in the Medal of Honor Character Development Program. Since FFVF is adjacent to the Valley Forge National Historic Park, an optional 6 AM battlefield tour with historian Arch Hunter was offered.

Brick walkway and a stone entranceway with a sign stating 'Medal of Honor Grove' — The Medal of Honor Grove is a 42 acre wooded area with paved pathways on the campus of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. MOH recipients are remembered by state (or territory) throughout the grove. Photo credit: Dave McIntire Twitter (@d_mcintire)

The World War II victory medal — Located on the National Mall at 17th Street, the World War II Memorial was dedicated in 2004. Photo credit: Dave McIntire Twitter (@d_mcintire)

A group picture of the class standing in the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. A fountain spurting water in in the background — ''Medal of Honor Legacy: World War II'' 2022 class. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

Bob Eble, dressed in a red shirt and blue pants, standing in front of the Pennsylvania pillar — Fifty-six pillars, remembering the states, territories, and possessions at the time of the war, ring the Memorial. Photo credit: Bob Eble

A man dressed in a red shirt with the Washington Monument in the background — Walking around the Memorial. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

A group of teachers standing in the Pacific Pavilion of the World War II Memorial — A quick pause for a photo under the Pacific Pavilion. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

A group of teachers standing under the Pacific Pavilion of the World War II Memorial with eagles and laurel wreaths are visible above — The Pacific and Atlantic Pavilions represent the 2 theaters of the war. Eagles and laurel wreaths are above. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

A man and a woman walking near the bas-relief artworks of the World War II Memorial — Discussing the bas-relief artwork at the Memorial with Catherine (NH). Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

Group of teachers with the Washington Monument obelisk in the background — A group photo at the World War II Memorial. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

Group of excited teachers with the Washington Monument obelisk in the background — A group of excited teachers at the World War II Memorial. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

A group photo of teachers standing in a plaza outside the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum — The group paused for a group photo outside the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

Two women talking to a man who is a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam — While at the USHMM, Alisha (WI) engaged in conversation a veteran who served 30+ years in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

Several teachers talking to a man who is a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam — The veteran was in Washington, DC, for the next day's rededication ceremony of the Korean War Veterans Memorial. He served as a navigator. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

A man in a suit coat and tie stands behind a lectern addressing a group of seated teachers — Ambassador Andrew Bremberg, President and CEO, welcomes our class to the Victims of Communism Memorial Museum. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

Ken Pope, Director of Academic Programs at the Victims of Communism Memorial Museum which just opened in June 2022, gives and overview of the Foundation and Museum. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

Man in a shirt and tie stands before a group of teachers with a picture of the East German border during the Cold War on a screen — Ken Pope discussing Berlin and East Germany in the Cold War at the Victims of Communism Memorial Museum. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

A group of seated teachers watching a video in a museum exhibit — Watching a video presentation in the Victims of Communism Memorial Museum. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

A woman in a dress speaking to a room full of seated teachers — Dr. Elizabeth Spalding at the Victims of Communism Memorial Museum. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

A group of teachers in a presentation with a screen listing a country-by-country number of deaths due to communism — Statistics on the numbers of victims of communism in Dr. Spalding's lecture. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

A standing woman in a dress and a standing man in a shirt and tie — Dr. Elizabeth Spalding and Ken Pope at the Victims of Communism Memorial Museum. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

Green lawn and north portico of the White House — The White House (north portico). credit: Bob Eble

A group of teachers next to a tall fence on the north side of the White House — An impromptu group photo before the north side of the White House. Photo credit: Georgette Hackman Twitter (@georgettehack)

With a rising sun on the horizon, a man standing in a parking lot is instructing a group of teachers — Historian Arch Hunter leads a sunrise tour of the Valley Forge NHP where the Continental Army wintered in 1777–78. Photo credit: Georgette Hackman Twitter (@georgettehack)

Reproduction Revolutionary War soldiers' log cabin at Valley Forge National Historic Park — Reproduction soldiers' cabins at Valley Forge NHP. Photo credit: Dave McIntire Twitter (@d_mcintire)

Two-story stone house in Valley Forge where George Washington headquartered during the Revolutionary War — George Washington's headquarters (in a house owned by Isaac Potts) during the winter of 1777–78 at Valley Forge. Photo credit: Dave McIntire Twitter (@d_mcintire)

Man in a suit coat standing before a classroom of teachers — David Eisenhower presenting a lecture on the long-term effects of Operation Overlord (Normandy invasion on D-Day). Photo credit: Georgette Hackman Twitter (@georgettehack)

An elderly woman with a solid blue top and a red with white polka dot scarf sitting in a rocking chair — Mae Krier, ''Rosie the Riveter'', listens during the eulogy for MOH recipient Woody Williams (age 98) who died a month prior. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

An elderly woman wearing a blue top with red with while polka dot accents stands behind a lectern — Mae Krier (age 96) tells the teachers of her work in the Boeing aircraft factory during World War II. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

A standing group of teachers in a chapel with white wood spoke benches — Listening to Mae Krier in the Faith of Our Fathers Chapel. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

Two standing people: an elderly woman with a blue top with red with white polka dots accent and a middle-aged man wearing a black t-shirt — Mae Krier (age 96) and Bob Eble (age 56). Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

An elderly woman and a middle-aged man, standing, talking to each other — (Mae commented that I was a very tall guy. I told her I have 2 brothers who are taller than I.) Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

A group of teachers surrounding ''Rosie the Riveter'' (Mae Krier) on the steps of a chapel — Group photo with Mae Krier in front of the Faith of Our Fathers Chapel. Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

A group of teachers surrounding ''Rosie the Riveter'' (Mae Krier) in a ''We can do it!'' pose on the steps of a chapel — Krier and the class boldly proclaim, ''We can do it!'' Photo credit: FFVF Flickr

Group of teachers wearing history-related t-shirts — Those who entered the history T-shirt contest. Bob wore his Agent Orange Awareness shirt (VVMF); the winner is the Abe Lincoln's Theater Review shirt. Photo credit: Georgette Hackman Twitter (@georgettehack)

A Marine in a red dress uniform with the Medal of Honor on a blue cloth lanyard around his neck — MOH recipient CWO4 Woody Williams (1923–2022), a frequent speaker at FFVF, was to address our class. He passed away on June 29 at the age of 98. He was the last living WWII MOH recipient having been awarded the Medal for his actions as a Marine during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons from DVIDS in 2015

A smiling woman with blonde hair — Cathy Metcalf addressed the class virtually about her father, Walter Ehlers, speaking of the actions for which he was awarded the Medal and the nearly 70 years of adult life living as a MOH recipient. Photo credit: TurnItIn.com

An elderly man with the Medal of Honor around his neck standing behind a lectern — US Army 2LT Walter Ehlers (1921–2014) was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Normandy in the days following the D-Day invasion in June 1944. Photo credit: Wikipedia Commons from USDoD in 2007

Man in a blue shirt standing before a classroom of students — Ron Nash speaking on World War II and Race. Photo credit: Freedoms Foundation Twitter (@FFVF)

Man in a green shirt and khaki pants pointing to a video screen while standing before a classroom with 2 students in the foreground — Kevin Wagner, Carlisle SD, presenting his Silent Heroes Project for students to research WWII soldiers. Photo credit: Freedoms Foundation Twitter (@FFVF)

Marble gravestone surrounded by American flags and the flag of the US Army. ''Richard D. Winters, World War II 101st Airborne'' is written on the grave marker. — 1LT Dick Winters, Easy Company, 506th Parachute Inf Reg parachuted into Normandy in the early hours of June 6, 1944. He died in 2011 and is buried in Ephrata, PA. Photo credit: Bob Eble

Marble gravestone surrounded by American flags. A small engraved stone with the saying, ''Jesus said, 'I am the Light of the World'. Jn. 8:12'' was placed on the corner of the gravestone by a visitor. The name Richard D. Winters on the gravestone is partially visible. — Retiring at the rank of major, Winters is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Purple Heart. Photo credit: Bob Eble