Join Bob Boyd, High Desert Museum curator and local historian extraordinaire, on Sunday, March 11 at 2:00 PM at the Sisters Library for a closer look at the soldiers who fought on in Northwestern Europe in 1944. The presentation is part of Know War, a series of programs offered during the month of March at Deschutes Public Library. The presentation is free and open to the public.

Beneath the accounts of the grand strategies, the ideologies, leaders and the weapons technologies that are often the focus of histories of the great conflicts of the 20^th century are the lives of the ordinary soldiers. During his presentation Boyd will take a closer look at the artifacts of their lives. “Artifacts can perhaps provide a greater understanding and empathy for the young men who experienced these human catastrophes,” says Boyd. “They reveal what they wore, how they coped with weather and life outdoors, boredom and loneliness, what they ate, and the load of gear that was inseparable to their existence and survival.” Not surprisingly, according to Boyd, soldiers on both sides of the conflict shared much in common, regardless of the uniform they wore, or ideologies of their respective nations.

The centennial of World War I is approaching and the beginning of World War II is almost three quarters of a century in the past. The artifacts of these eras, once commonly found at surplus stores and in veteran’s attics are increasingly scarce. Those attending the program will come away having seen and touched the lives of those who made history, fought and fell, or survived these great conflicts.

For more information about this or other library programs, please visit the library website at www.deschuteslibrary.org. People with disabilities needing accommodations (alternative formats, seating or auxiliary aides) should contact Liz at 312-1032.