Synthesis Unit 2009:  World War II

 

During these annual units, as many as eighteen expert speakers make individual 45-minute presentations on different aspects of the chosen topic.  Speakers hold Q-and-A sessions at the conclusion of their talk, and students are encouraged to ask questions to further their understanding.   After each Synthesis Unit, students produce "products" designed to "synthesize" the information learned during the presentations. 

The topic of this year's Synthesis Unit was World War II: The Greatest Generation.

 

   

During our visit to “Portraits of Survival,” we were able to hear from Helga Carden, Dr. Stan Ostern, and Judith Meisel, all of whom survived the Holocaust as children by going into hiding.

 

We had the privilege of visiting the Jewish Community Center where they have a beautiful and informative display called “Portraits of Survival.”  We were able to read the stories of various local Holocaust survivors.

 

 

Margaret Singer, who immigrated to the United States from Germany during World War II, shared her poetry and art with us.  She has used both poetry and painting to express and cope with her memories.

 

 

We were honored to have Michael Rogers, a Four Star General, talk about his experience as a pilot in World War II.  In addition to sharing his great insight as an excellent pilot, he also told us about the philosophical concept “Just War.”

 

 

Karin Finell has written a book about her childhood in Germany during World War II.  She told us that she deals with her sadness and guilt about the Nazi regime through writing.

 

 

Paul Fritz explained how Japan obtained the technology, ability, and desire to transition from an agrarian society to one capable of bombing Pearl Harbor.

 

 

Lupe Richards inspired us with her patriotic stories of working as a riveter throughout the war.  Her passion for her work at the plant in Long Beach motivated her to balance roles as a mother and a riveter. 

 

 

Gloria Orr told us about the homefront during the war.  She has fond and romantic memories from this season in her life, ranging from ration coupons to U.S.O dances.

 

 

Connie Chadwick was a machinist during the war.  She made specific and specialized pieces that would go on to be a part of much bigger ships and arms.  Connie said that she seldom knew where her craftsmanship was heading, but she was always motivated to complete each task.

 

 

Ben Walsh flew B-17s and B-24s throughout the war.  In addition to receiving many medals in this country, he is also a hero in France for his tireless support throughout the war.

 

 

 

 

As a fourteen-year-old boy, Thomas Blatt was part of the only revolt to take place in a concentration camp during the war.  Blatt was imprisoned in Sobibor because he was Jewish, and he worked as a servant for the Nazis who were running the camp.  He was the informant to the other men who were coordinating the revolt.

 

As a gunner for a bomber plane, Bill Livingstone was shot down over Germany.  He was a Prisoner of War for one year.  Like Karin Finell and Margaret Singer, he has found great comfort in writing the stories of this challenging time.

 

Ralph Nutter was able to give us a bird’s eye view of the war because he served as Command Navigator for five generals.  He spoke about how he incorporated the theory of “Just War” into his life.

 

 

Sam Fordyce served as Navy Seaman during the war when he was only seventeen.  Although he didn’t see much action, he gave us great insight into the battle in the Pacific and the experience of being a young adult during this historic time.

 

 

John Blankenship is the Executive Director of the Pierre Claeyssens Veterans Museum and Library.  His fascination with World War II was contagious as he gave us the big picture of the last days and conclusive battles of World War II.

 

 

 

Leon Tice’s story of surviving as a Prisoner of War in the Philippines was one few of us ever thought we would be able to hear.  He is also one of the survivors from the Bataan Death March, which took the lives of thousands of men.