WWI Symposium Huge Success!
by Sarah Wooton Garrod
 On Saturday, November 15th, the museum hosted a WWI military history symposium. The day-long event featured guest lecturers Lt. Colonel (Ret) Robert L. Brown, Les Jensen and Dr. Mitch Yockelson. Robert Brown, Adjunct Professor at USC Sumter, spoke on the WWI experiences of his grandfather, Robert T. Brown, as well as aviaton superstitions.
Les Jensen, Curator of Arms and Armour at the West Point Museum, US Military Academy, gave the lecture, "To Create an Army - Uniforms & Equipment of the AEF in World World One." Dr. Yockelson, Professor at the Naval Academy and Archivist at the National Archives, spoke on the "Borrowed Soldiers of the 30th Division."
W. Joe Long, (Relic Room Curator of Education) spoke on WWI aviation, with his presentation, "Iron Men and Canvas Wings: SC Aviators in the Great War." Sarah W. Garrod (Relic Room Chief Curator) presented, "How They Became Pershing's Own: Military Bands in WWI." Anne Clarkson did a special reading sent to her from Henri Goybet, great-grandson of the General Mariano Goybet, Commander of the 157th French "Red Hand" Division. SC's 371st Infantry Regiment served under the 157th French Division.
 The day included presentations from WWI living historians. Bruce Cotner did a lively impression of a local contractor hired to help build Camp Jackson, located here in Columbia (now Fort Jackson). Dane Coffman did a wonderful impression of General John Pershing. Jeffrey Mosser did a great job with his AEF doughboy impression. Jay Callaham delighted folks with his MP impression and 30th Division collection.
Dr. Yockelson hosted a booksigning after the lectures. The event was a big success! The museum sincerely thanks the guest speakers and living historians for their time and expertise. The Relic Room also appreciates the numerous attendees for sharing the day with us and WWI history!
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