Why do we celebrate Veterans Day on November 11 th? The date was chosen, because the Germans surrendered at 11 o’clock on the 11th day of the 11th month, ending World War I in 1918. The reason we celebrate is to honor veterans, especially those that paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
Your local library has many items on America’s conflicts such as DVDs like “1917,” and “The Last Full Measure,” and those books highlighted below. The staff at Detroit Lakes Library would like to salute our veterans!
“Every Man A Hero: A Memoir of D-day, the First Wave at Omaha Beach,” by Ray Lambert and Jim DeFelice
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At five a.m. on June 6, 1944, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ray Lambert worked his way through a throng of nervous soldiers to a wind-swept deck on a troopship off the coast of Normandy, France. A familiar voice cut through the wind and rumble of the ship’s engines. “Ray!” called his brother, Bill. Ray, head of a medical team for the First Division’s famed 16th Infantry Regiment, had already won a silver star in 1943 for running through German lines to rescue trapped men, one of countless rescues he’d made in North Africa and Sicily.
Less than five hours later, after saving dozens of lives and being wounded at least three separate times, Ray would lose consciousness in the shallow water of the beach under heavy fire. He would wake on the deck of a landing ship to find his battered brother clinging to life next to him.
“The Winter Army: The World War II Odyssey of the 10th Mountain Division, America's Elite Alpine Warriors,” by Maurice Isserman
At the start of World War II, the US Army had two cavalry divisions — and no mountain troops. The German Wehrmacht, in contrast, had many well-trained and battle-hardened mountain divisions, some of whom by 1943 blocked the Allied advance in the Italian campaign.
Starting from scratch, the US Army developed a unique military fighting force, the 10th Mountain Division, drawn from the ranks of civilian skiers, mountaineers, and others with outdoor experience. The resulting mix of Ivy League students, park rangers, Olympic skiers, and European refugees formed the first specialized alpine fighting force in US history. By the time it deployed to Italy at the beginning of 1945, this ragtag group had coalesced into a tight-knit unit. In the months that followed, at a terrible cost, they spearheaded the Allied drive in Italy to final victory.
Library Happenings
The Detroit Lakes Library Presents: a Craft Winter Survival Kit for adults. Kit #2 is free for you to pick up at the library. (Supplies are limited.) Any questions call Danell at (218) 847-2168 or email detroit@larl.org .
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Your library now has Hot Spots available for check out. Great for situations when internet access is needed. Supports 15 device connections through built-in Wi-Fi AP. Wireless Network Technology Generations: 3G, 4G, 4G LTE. Compatible with most Wi-Fi-enabled devices including: laptops, digital cameras, game consoles and more.
Lake Agassiz Regional Library buildings — including the Detroit Lakes Public Library, located at 1000 Washington Ave. — are open for express service, but if you prefer you can still use our no-contact curbside pick-up option. Our virtual hours are 24/7 at larl.org , and we are also on Facebook . Go to our website, call 218-847-2168 or email detroit@larl.org .
