Welcome Remarks for Veteran’s Day Tribute: "WWII Soldier Photographers from the U.S. Army Signal Corps Photo Collection at the National Archives"
McGowan Theater, National Archives Building, Washington, DC
November 14, 2019
Good evening, and welcome to the National Archives. I’m David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States, and I’m pleased you could join us for this special Veterans Day program on U.S. Army Signal Corps photographers, whether you are here in the William G. McGowan Theater or joining us through C-SPAN, Facebook, or YouTube.
Our partner for tonight’s program is the U.S. Army Center of Military History. We thank them for their support and extend special thanks to the Center's Executive Director, Mr. Charles R. Bowery Jr.
Before we get started, I’d like to tell you about two other programs coming up soon in the McGowan Theater.
On Thursday, November 21, at 6:30 p.m., we’ll mark the 15th anniversary of the movie National Treasure with a special screening here in the McGowan Theater and fun activities related to the film and the Declaration. Come dressed as your favorite National Treasure character, and you might win a prize!
And on Thursday, December 12, at 7 p.m., join us for a special Bill of Rights Day program celebrating the U.S. Bill of Rights as an inspiration to the world. A panel of scholars and authors will explore the unique history of the Bill of Rights, and the ways in which it has influenced national constitutions around the world.
Check our website, Archives.gov, or sign up at the table outside the theater to get email updates. You’ll also find information about other National Archives programs and activities.
Another way to get more involved with the National Archives is to become a member of the National Archives Foundation. The Foundation supports the work of the agency, especially its education and outreach programs. Visit its website—archivesfoundation.org—to learn more about the Foundation and join online.
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The Army Signal Corps photographic collection is one of the largest in the National Archives Still Picture Branch. The roughly 1 million images covering World War I through 1981 chronicle military activities during war and peace, on the front line and on the homefront. And—as we will examine tonight—the aftermath of war.
In this Veterans Day tribute, we remember and honor the soldier photographers who, through their images, were witness to the postwar destruction and a world forever changed.
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Now I would like to welcome Lee Reynolds, the Strategic Communications Officer for the U.S. Army Center of Military History. He retired from the Army Reserve in June 2017 at the rank of colonel with more than 35 years of military service in the Active Army and the Army Reserve. Colonel Reynolds deployed three times: he commanded the American Forces Network-Iraq in Baghdad, was director of media operations and assistant spokesman for Military Commissions at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and was the chief of media operations and senior spokesman for detention operations at Guantanamo Bay. He was also an assistant professor of military science at the University of Southern California.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Lee Reynolds.