The Fort Des Moines Museum is holding the second in a series of historical discussions of military history today. Caesar Smith, the co-director of the museum, says the speaker series focuses on the Iowa involvement.
He says they thought it would be good to promote the museum, while at the same time talk about the history of African-Americans in the military and women in the military.
Smith says the second talk in the series features the Women’s Army Corps. Smith says Penelope Blake will talk about her mother’s service in the WAC’s. Smith says Blake’s father was lost in Corregidor during World War Two and Blakes mother wanted to do something for the war effort and joined the Women’s Army Corps. Smith says Blake has a lot of pictures that illustrate her mom’s experience.
Smith says the series keeps the unique stories alive. Smith says things like the break through of women and African-Americans in the military is often left out of history books, but Iowa has a strong place in both issues, and Smith says it’s something Iowans should know. The talk is at 6:30 today at the museum and there’s a ten dollar charge.