The East Coast Chapter of the WFA holds one-day historical seminars two times per year in the Philadelphia-Baltimore-Washington area. These seminars serve as a venue for historians, authors and scholars to present on a variety of First World War historical subjects.
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We have just held our Spring 2008 Event. Thanks to everyone who helped make it a success. Click Here For the Program |
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 Thanks to Member Steve Miller for these photos. |
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On Saturday November 5, 2005, 57 WFA members and friends gathered at the Maryland War Memorial Building in Baltimore (MD) to participate in the East Coast Chapter's Fall 2005 Seminar. Included was a presentation by AVIATION HISTORY magazine editor Jon Guttman on the "balloon busting" aces of all sides who singled out enemy observation balloons for destruction throughout the war.  Also included in the seminar were several exciting displays of rare WWI artifacts and memoribilia provided by WFA members, and a chapter-sponsored WWI book sale. A huge success, the meeting allowed the WFA East Coast Chapter to make a donation of $500 for use toward the general maintenance and upkeep of the historic Maryland War Memorial Building. |
| The Chapter enjoyed a very successful seminar on Saturday November 13 in
which over 50 persons turned out for an exciting full day of WWI history.
Aviation artist Luther Gore used a variety of prints and slides to tell the
fascinating story of Frenchman Henry Farre, the first aviation combat
artist in history. WFA member Randy Gaulke treated attendees to a rich
power point sampling of WWI German picture postcards showing not only the
propaganda value which many provided, but also some interesting glimpses
into actual realities of both the front and life at home in WWI Germany.
Mike Miller, senior archivist at the Gen. Alfred M. Gray Research Center in
Quantico gave a dynamic account of the battle of Belleau Wood on June 6,
1918 employing interactive maps, historic images and audio accounts from
Marine veterans of WWI. The day was capped off by an extremely popular
audience interactive panel discussion which separated myth from reality
concerning the "Schlieffen Plan." The panel was made up of military
historians Dr. Karl Larew of Towson University, Jon Guttman of Primedia
Publications, and Eric Miller of WFA and featured much audience
participation in the debate, moderated by John Barry. A book discussion
session on Ernst Junger's STORM OF STEEL moderated by WFA member Andy Hyson
was also held in the afternoon. The East Coast Chapter also honored long-time WFA member, officer, and chapter attendee Werner Gruhl as the recipient of the Col. Paul Braim Award for 2004. For many years, Werner has been a driving force for the Chapter organizing and supporting seminars, helping out with bulk mailings, and serving on committees. Popular new features of the seminar were WWI memorabilia tables used by attendees to display a fascinating array of WWI artifacts including German body armor and helmets, fragments from a Zeppelin brought down over England, photographs, medals and a British SMLE rifle to name a few." |
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Fifty WFA members and guests gathered on Saturday April 3, 2004 at the Maryland War Memorial Building, Baltimore for the East Coast Chapter's Spring 20004 Seminar. Presentations consisted of: The 32nd Division AEF given by John Barry, WWI Artifact Collecting given by Frederick C. Maisel, US Army Aerial Observation Doctrine given by Dr. Edgar Raines, George C. Marshall in WWI given by Blaine Horton, and the life of war-poet Charles Hamilton Sorley given by Dr. James Kirschke. The Col. Paul Braim Award for service to the Chapter in 2003 was presented to Alan Weatherley, and WFA member Ed Maiwald received a certificate of appreciation for support of Chapter seminars.
The East Coast Chapter also unveiled a new permanent exhibit on the 313th Infantry "Baltimore's Own" in the lobby of the War Memorial. Sponsored by the East Coast Chapter, this new display highlights the history of the 313th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, AEF which was raised and trained at Camp Meade (MD) and later participated in the Meuse Argonne offensive of 1918. Private Henry Gunther of the 313th was the last member of the AEF to die in combat in World War I at 11:01 AM on November 11. This is believed to be the first time that a WFA chapter has directly sponsored (i.e. paid for the exhibit case and arranged for acquisition of the artifacts) a commemorative public exhibit. |
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East Coast Chapter Chairman Paul Cora presents the Col.Paul Braim Service Award to Member Werner Gruhl at our Fall 2004 Seminar. |
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WWI collector Frederick C. "Butch" Maisel (l) and WFA East Coast Chairman Paul Cora(r) unveil the new 313th Infantry exhibit at the Maryland War Memorial Building unveiled at our Spring 2004 Seminar. |
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313th Infantry Exhibit |
| The Chapter's use of the War Memorial Building as a meeting venue allows it to directly assist the preservation, maintenance, and interpretation of the building. Ground for this historic building was broken by Marshal Ferdinand Foch in 1921, and the structure was completed in 1925 to honor Maryland's dead of the World War. In addition to displays of war trophies and memorabilia related to Maryland units which served overseas, the building features an impressive 900-seat Memorial Hall which includes an eternal flame, and marble walls inscribed with the names of the more than 1,700 Marylanders who lost their lives serving in World War I. |
| Click Here for a Virtual Tour of the The Maryland War Memorial Building |
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WFA members and guests enjoy a display of rare ANZAC uniforms and equipment at the Spring 1998 Seminar. |
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Participants in the Spring 2003 Seminar's panel discussion on the impact of Aviation in WWI: (l to r) historian and author Peter Grosz, Dr. Karl Larew of Towson University, Dr. Ed Raines of US Army Center for Military History, Steve Suddaby of the League of WWI Aviation Historians and WFA, Jon Guttman of AVIATION HISTORY Magazine. |
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Founding East Coast Chapter WFA members Eric and Carol Miller placing a memorial poppy wreath at the base of the Maryland War Memorial's Eternal Flame during 11 November 2001 ceremonies. |
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Regular Venue: The Maryland War Memorial which was dedicated by Marshal Foch in 1921 and formally opened in 1925 as a "place of meeting for all veteran, patriotic and civic organizations, a depository for trophies of wars in which our country might engage, and a tribute to those citizens of Maryland who gave their lives in World War I." |
| Annually, the East Coast Chapter WFA presents an award for volunteerism to an individual member. The award is named in honor of the late Col. Paul Braim, soldier, historian, and one of the primary persons involved in the creation of the US Branch WFA more than a decade ago. The award will be presented at the Chapter's fall meeting each year, and is given to an individual who, in the view of the Chapter Chairman, has given the greatest assistance to the organization in carrying out its annual goals and initiatives in the year awarded. |
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