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You are here: Home / Speaking Program / [MAR. 12 DINNER MEETING] Admiral William Sims Brings Baseball to England to Unify Allies in World War I

[MAR. 12 DINNER MEETING] Admiral William Sims Brings Baseball to England to Unify Allies in World War I

March 5, 2018 By James Mitchell Varnum

King George V, Admiral Sims, and Chief Yeoman Mike McNally of the Army-Navy Baseball Team on July 4, 1918, in London. About 70,000 attended.
King George V, Admiral Sims, and Chief Yeoman Mike McNally of the Army-Navy Baseball Team on July 4, 1918, in London. About 70,000 attended.

When the US entered World War I, the country was not fully prepared. Our Army had to be mobilized, expanded, and trained; our Navy was considered the world’s third largest. The officer who led the Navy in Europe, Rear Admiral William E. Sims, had a reputation as a reformer and brought his leadership experience across the Atlantic. Recognizing that many American soldiers and sailors were of Irish or German heritage, he anticipated tensions among the newly allied forces. In a canny diplomatic initiative, Sims used the “great American pastime” of baseball to demonstrate the unity of America with the English and French forces.

Our March speaker, David Kohnen, Ph.D., Director of the Hattendorf Center for Maritime Historical Research at the Naval War College, brings the story of how baseball played a key role in military relations as America entered the war. Dr. Kohnen earned his PhD with the Laughton Professor of Naval History in the War Studies Department at the University of London (King’s College London). A prolific author and editor, his current book, “Two Kings and a Navy: U.S. Navy Admiral Ernest J. King, the Anglo-American Special Relationship”, and the “Fifty Years War at Sea, 1901-1946” will be published by the Naval Institute Press.

David Kohnen, Ph.D.
David Kohnen, Ph.D.

Dr. Kohen also has contributed to award winning historic warship exhibits and remains involved with historic preservation efforts surrounding the former German submarine U-505 in Chicago and the battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64) in Norfolk, Virginia. As a U.S. Naval Reserve sailor, he completed two deployments in Middle Eastern waters, two ashore in Iraq, and one supporting landlocked operations in Afghanistan. He also serves as the Officer in Charge of the Reserve Faculty supporting the Executive Programs at the National Intelligence University in Washington, D.C.

Reservations must be received by 5 pm Friday, March 9.

Call Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or email him at scott@ritemps.com.

TIME: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
FEE: $20 including dinner (traditional Irish corned beef dinner; zeppoles for dessert)
LOCATION: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI


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At only $50 per person annually, membership keeps you in the Varnum loop and supports our efforts to preserve U.S. history and educate the public. Members get a monthly newsletter and can also attend our monthly dinner programs that feature authoritative and engaging speakers on historic and military topics. CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW!



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Filed Under: Speaking Program, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: Navy, speaking program, varnum memorial armory, world war I

[DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster

December 3, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

In December 1917, a World War I ammunition ship blew up in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia. This massive event was listed as the largest man-made explosion in human history prior to atomic weapons and totally devastated the city. Thousands died. Our December speaker, Varnum Member Greg Banner, will describe the background, event, response, and results and discuss aspects of military, nautical, local, and emergency response history.

About the Varnum Continentals

The Varnum Continentals are committed to the preservation of the historic heritage of our community, our state, and our nation. Please take a virtual tour of our museums to learn more about our mission to encourage patriotism. You can participate with us through active membership and/or philanthropic support in our non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Museum tours are welcomed and our facilities may be rented for suitable events.

Our Mission

The Varnum Continentals are committed to encourage patriotism through the Varnum Armory Museum, the Continental Militia, and the James Mitchell Varnum House and thus to preserve, support, and communicate the military history of our community, our state, and our nation.

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