The Life of Jacob Brawler

Dr. John J. McLaughlin

Dr. John J. McLaughlin wrote this story as part of a project during his studies for a doctorate in History at Drew University. He made several trips to South Carolina, visited the Florence National Cemetery in Florence, South Carolina and searched the Revolutionary War records at Columbia, South Carolina.

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Next Meeting in October

Please note:

• There will be no lecture in September. 
• The next lecture will be on Wednesday, October 21, 2015. 
• The World War II Book Club Will Continue
  We are happy to inform the Book Club Members that we have a new President who will take over management of the World War II Book Club. John McLaughlin has had several meetings with Dr. Richard Schonberg who has agreed to take over management of the Book Club. John McLaughin will continue as Moderator.

Paul E. Zigo will present a lecture at the Millburn Library on his recently published book, The Longest Walk, the story of the 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division. (This lecture was previously scheduled for February 17, but cancelled because of a severe storm) The lecture will commence at 7 p.m.

The 116th Infantry Regiment landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day June 6, 1944. They were featured in the riveting opening scene of the movie "Saving Private Ryan". This regiment lost one third of the 3200 men who made the landing that day. Paul has visited the site of the landing at least five times during the preparation of this book.

Paul is an Assistant Professor of History and the Director of the Center for World War II Studies and Conflict Resolution at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ. He teaches American History, the History of World War II, Recent American History as well as Human Geography. He earned a baccalaureate degree in history from Rutgers University in 1964, a master’s degree from Rider University in personnel and guidance in 1973 and a master’s degree from Temple University in recent American diplomatic and military history in August 2000. He also directs the Center for World War II Studies and Conflict Resolution at Brookdale, an educational resource center open to all interested in studying the historical impact and significance of the Second World War.

 Mr. Zigo is a 30-year veteran of the United States Army Reserve, retiring as a Colonel in 1994. He is a 1989 graduate of the U.S Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, PA.

Remarks on the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day

Surrender of Japan - USS Missouri

Dr. John J. McLaughlin gave this lecture on August 15, 2015 to a group of veterans at Camp Evans, Wall Township, NJ on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day. A number of the people in the audience were combat veterans who had served in Europe, and were slated to travel to the Pacific to take part in Operation Downfall, the invasion of the Japanese homelands, but were saved from this ordeal by the dropping of the Atom Bombs. Many of the veterans are angry about reading and hearing stories which criticize the use of the bomb to end the war. They all said "Thank God For The Bomb."  Read the remarks »