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Friends of the National World War II Memorial presents a Monthly Conference Series to learn more about the spirit of unity and shared purpose that defined the character of our country during World War II. This series of monthly half-day virtual conferences features discussions with WWII veterans, war orphans, published authors, and other experts. New York Times best-selling author and Friends' Resident Historian Alex Kershaw moderates the discussions after each presentation.
Register today, for free, to join this unique digital experience.
September - April
Third Saturday Monthly
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET
Richard Rossi’s life is a testament to service, music, and resilience. Born in 1924, he was a traveling orchestra musician before enlisting in the Army in 1943 with his childhood best friend. As a Combat Engineer in the Third Army, he served across Europe, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and later played saxophone for troops alongside USO entertainers like Bob Hope. Awarded four Bronze Stars and the French Legion of Honor, he built a life after the war as a family man, postal worker, and lifelong musician. At 99, he returned to Normandy for the first time since the war, reflecting on a century of extraordinary experiences.
Join author and Holocaust educator Karen Kirsten for a compelling conversation about Irena’s Gift, her deeply personal investigation into family secrets, survival, and intergenerational trauma. In this extraordinary true story, Karen unravels the hidden past of her mother, who was smuggled out of the Warsaw Ghetto as a baby, and the remarkable choices that shaped their family’s fate. Through years of research, she traces a journey from pre-war Poland’s cultural vibrancy to the harrowing conditions of Radom Prison, where an SS officer’s unexpected decision saved a life. Exploring resilience, identity, and the long shadow of history, this discussion will illuminate the power of truth and the complexities of human behavior in times of crisis.
Historian and retired Navy commander David Winkler brings deep expertise in naval history to his discussion on Destroyers at War, which chronicles Adm. James L. Holloway III’s experiences aboard destroyers during the Pacific campaigns of World War II. From shore bombardments at Saipan and Peleliu to the climactic Battle of Surigao Strait, Holloway’s firsthand account offers insight into naval combat, gunnery operations, and the last battleship-vs-battleship engagement in history. Winkler, a longtime staff historian at the Naval Historical Foundation and author of multiple works on naval warfare, contextualizes these events while exploring the unique father-son legacy of the Holloway admirals. His expertise provides a compelling look at naval strategy, leadership, and the experiences of those who fought in the Pacific.
The Friends of the National World War II Memorial’s education programs are generously supported by the Jack C. Taylor / Enterprise Rent-A-Car WWII Memorial Education Endowment.
