Image courtesy of WVHS
Michael Martorelli will present this evening at the WVHS headquarters in Blue Bell.
The Wissahickon Valley Historical Society (WVHS) has always offered a variety of programs, both relevant to the area’s deep history and the changes our communities have experienced over centuries of change. Tonight, the society has a program that is a little bit of both.
Firstly, in honor of Veterans Day, the WVHS is excited to bring an on-topic speaker who will explain the changes that our nation’s military experienced, particularly around its artillery. Let’s explore first, why today is the day we all pause to focus on veterans throughout America’s past.
While they are heroes that are honored all year-round, the first weeks of November often mark a special time to remember our country’s veterans.
Since 1954, the United States has marked the anniversary of “The Great War,” also known as World War I, and it’s end with a holiday each Nov. 11. The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in France, but it wasn’t actually seven months earlier that the fighting ceased. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the beginning of the end really came about as the Allied Nations and Germany went into a “temporary cessation of hostilities” on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. This means, as far as history is concerned, Nov. 11, 1918, was the “war to end all wars.”
To honor the occasion, it is Nov. 11 that has been chosen as the nation’s Veterans Day. No matter the day of the week the date falls, the day is celebrated not only as a significant day, but a chance to honor veterans from all wars for their service.
For clarity, while Memorial Day and Veterans Day are both intended to be patriotic dates on the American calendar, it is Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday in May each year, that honors those who lost their lives, making the ultimate sacrifice for our country. However, Veterans Day is intended to honor all veterans, from all wars, at any time.
To honor the day and all of its history, the WVHS will welcome Michael Martorelli and his talk on “Evolution of the U.S. Coast Artillery from the Revolutionary War time period to just after World War II.” Our nation’s military has used a variety of tools to keep our country safe. From the 1952 Air Defense Artillery to the Nike and Hawk missiles, Martorelli puts his bachelor’s of science and masters of business administration degrees from Drexel University, as well as an Master of Arts in History from the American Military University to work seamlessly to bring you a deep and interesting discussion on the matter.
With a history of his own, Martorelli has worked as an investment analyst, banker, and college instructor. However, he’s spent the last 15 years writing about history.
Light refreshments will be served at this talk, which is slated to begin at 7 p.m. tonight, Monday, Nov. 11. The event will be held at the WVHS headquarters at the 1895 Schoolhouse, located at 799 W. Skippack Pike in Blue Bell. For more information on the talk or if you have any questions, call the WVHS at 215-646-6541 or email info@wvalleyhs.org.
