Centerville-Washington History November Speaker

Centerville-Washington History presents: “Christmas Truce on the Western Front – WWI”  by Bill Albers on Tuesday, November 14 at 7 p.m. at the theater inside RecPlex West, 965 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd in Centerville.

World War I, the so-called Great War was only 5 months old and there were already many casualties on both sides. The first Christmas at the front lines of the 4-year war became a Christmas celebration of a size that had never taken place before and most likely will never happen again. Many believe it is a miracle that thousands of soldiers put down their weapons and stopped killing to celebrate Christmas. The lecture will cover the history of World War I and the events that led up to the Christmas Truce.

Bill Albers is a Dutch-American who was born in Amsterdam in 1940 and survived the 5-year long German occupation during World War II.  He served in the Royal Dutch Air Force as a jet aircraft mechanic and earned a degree in mechanical engineering before coming to the US in 1965 to continue studying engineering.  Bill became a US citizen in 1977 and has held a variety of positions with different US companies.  He now is busily retired and spends time volunteering at museums while still holding a private, commercial, and ground school instructor pilot license.

This FREE presentation is open to the public. Reservations are not required. Donations welcome. Enjoy refreshments starting at 6:30 pm and the program from 7-8 pm in the auditorium. For more information, call Centerville-Washington History at 937-433-0123 or visit centervillewashingtonhistory.org.  **NOTE — Please enter on the south side of the west building closest to the theater, 965 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd.