Today John and I went to a lunchtime lecture at the
Virginia Historical Society. The topic was "The U.S. Marines at Belleau Wood, June 1918" The speaker was Patrick Mooney, visitor services chief at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Here is a description of his topic from the website:
"In 1917 the German Empire won its war on the Eastern Front by imposing humiliating terms on Russia. It then mounted a giant spring offensive on the Western Front in 1918 to crush the weakened Allied armies. U.S. Marines of the American Expeditionary Force helped blunt the German thrust and turn the tide. The pivotal action took place in June at the battle of Belleau Wood, the bloodiest fighting involving American troops since the Civil War. "
Mr. Mooney was a mesmerizing speaker. He made dry military history gripping as he recounted individual acts of heroism by both enlisted men and officers. In the audience were a number of retired Marines. They could certainly be proud of the courage of their corps.
I chose this picture from the Oatlands garden because the remembrance poppy was first used in the United States to commemorate soldiers who died in World War I.
