The “World War I and America” series at the Kinsley Library will hold its fourth and final meeting from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, April 15 at the Kinsley Library, 208 E. 8th Street. Larry Burke, the series scholar, will be examining the events of 1918 including the final German offensives and the Allied counter-offensives leading to victory.
“This series has not only been a study of the Great War,” said Kinsley Library Director Joan Weaver, “but we are also comparing it to the soldier’s experience in more recent wars. At this session, Mr. Burke will moderate a panel of three Vietnam War combat veterans including Bill Broadie, Vince Burghart, and Anthony Lyons.”
Bill Broadie is a fourth generation cattleman from Ashland who joined the Marines at age 19 in 1967. He was wounded twice in Vietnam. The second time it cost him his leg. In 2007 he decided to give something back and thank the current troops by starting the All American Beef Battalion. Since then, this group of volunteers has served over 400,000 steak dinners to the deploying and returning troops and their families.
Vince Burghart is a retired farmer from Offerle. He was drafted at age 19 in 1966 and spent 11 months in Vietnam. He served as a M60 machine gunner in the 4th Infantry Division and fought on the Cambodian border during his tour.
Anthony Lyons retired as Vice President of Workforce Development at Dodge City Community College in 2017. He joined the U.S. Army in 1968 and served as Field Artillery Officer in the 1st Battalion, 82 Field Artillery Regiment, 23rd Division Americal in Chu Lai, Vietnam. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from active service in the Army Reserves in 1997. He remained in the Retired Reserves until 2005 having served for 37 years.
“As a special treat, Dr. Galen Boehme will be playing WWI songs on the piano during our breaks,” said Weaver. Dr. Boehme is well-known in the area as a pianist and organist in churches, senior facilities and for events including the dedication of the Ross-Ellis Music hall at Barclay College in Haviland in 2017.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.kinsleylibrary.info or call 620-659-3341. New series attendees should register on the website before the event.