FRANCE STUDY ABROAD: ART, WAR, AND HUMAN RIGHTS 
Faculty: John Bailly

“Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!

Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”

SIGNED: Dwight D. Eisenhower

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project aims to develop the student’s personal relationship and experience with the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial (http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/no.php) and the men and women resting there. Each student is to select one person interred, research their life, and on location present a brief summary to the class.

1. Select a person.
2. Research their life before the war, their actions during the war, and the when, where, how, and why of their passing.
3. Reflect on what their sacrifice means to you.
4. Find their grave in the Normandy Cemetery.
5. Present a brief summary to your classmates.

HISTORICAL FIGURES AND EVENTS
Below is a list of figures and events to select from. If the student wishes to select another person, s/he is free to do so, as long as the individual in buried or listed as missing at the American Normandy Cemetery. Each individual may only be selected by one student. (Thank you to staff of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial for their assistance in developing this list).

Mary H. Bankston
Mary J. Barlow
Peter E. Bonner
Dolores M. Browne
Alfred W. Chaskin
Comrade in Arms
Thomas F. Connors
Arthur Dieffenbacher
Philip B. Edelen
Richard J. Hansen
Billie D. Harris (and his wife)
Bedford Hoback & Raymond Hoback (one presentation)
Thomas Howie
Bede G. Irvin
Jimmie W. Monteith Jr.
Lesley James McNair
Preston T. Niland & Robert J. Niland (one presentation)
Frank D. Peregory
George W. Rarey
John Ray
Ollie W. Reed & Ollie W. Reed Jr. (one presentation)
Elizabeth Richardson
Theodore Roosevelt Jr.
George L. Roth
Roy U. Talhelm
Nelson M. Walker