One century after the end of the First World War, the hunt for the past and people’s relatives has never been greater. On Monday, Oct. 22, historian Andrew Pouncey of Germantown, Tennessee, will talk about that at the Hazard Lecture Series in Columbus. The 7 p.m. program at Heritage Academy Elementary School, 623 Willowbrook Road, is free to the public.
The lecture series began in 1992, “but Andrew Pouncey’s is the first program we have had on World War I, which ended 100 years ago this Nov. 11,” said George Hazard Jr. of Columbus. The Hazard family established the lecture series to honor the memory of George Hazard Sr.
“This presentation is an effort to understand some of the fighting and some of the war’s results that are part of our own world,” Hazard continued. “One result was World War II, of course, so World War I still casts a long shadow.”
From the battlefields
Pouncey is the historian for the City of Germantown, Tennessee. He retired from the City of Germantown after 24 years of service in the Departments of Economic and Community Development and Administration. His passion for the study of World War I has taken him to the Western Front seven times. He recently returned from a trip there in September, where he hiked through the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne salients. He also attended two services at U.S. World War I cemeteries commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of the war.
At his upcoming talk, “I want to take (the audience) to the Western Front and show them what tools are available for historians and battlefield archaeologists to learn more from the landscape and maps, and how important this is to those who are seeking to follow in the footsteps of their grandfathers and great-grandfathers,” Pouncey told The Dispatch.
He also wants to stress how effort can provide limitless possibilities for learning history, said the Rhodes College and Mississippi State alumnus. Pouncey also holds a master’s degree in city and regional planning from the University of Memphis.
On his Addy Award-winning website, waruntold.com, Pouncey provides a place to share stories, memorabilia, letters and images of courageous members of the armed services who served during the war. They are real accounts of “ordinary men and women in the most extraordinary of times.”
Heritage Academy Director of Admissions and Public Relations Beth Lucas said, “The Hazard Lectures are always interesting and educational. The upcoming program on World War I will be especially relevant to our students and the community.”
“We think his comments will be worth hearing,” said Hazard, adding, “Every independent school should contribute to the mental life around it. Heritage is doing that by supporting and putting on these public offerings.”
For more information about the free program Oct. 22, contact Lucas at 662-327-1556, ext. 211.
IF YOU GO:
WHO: Hazard Lecture Series
WHAT: Andrew Pouncey, “The Long Shadow of World War I”
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Heritage Academy Elementary School, 623 Willowbrook Road, Columbus
ADMISSION: Free. For information, Beth Lucas, 662-327-1556, ext. 211
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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