Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History

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[MAY 8 VARNUM MEMBER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on “El Salvador: US participation in a Central American Civil War

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In 1991, Greg Banner (a US Army Major at the time) was assigned as an advisor in El Salvador. The US had established an advisory team approximately 10 years prior to help that country fight a communist insurgency. Major Banner spent 15 months as the team leader for one of the several district teams living with and helping Salvadoran units fight their war. This presentation will provide some background to the war and then an overview of one soldier’s experiences there, up to and including the peace treaty which was signed at the end of his tour.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Greg Banner graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1979 and spent 21 years on active duty in mostly Infantry and Special Forces assignments. He retired from the Army in Rhode Island and has been working in the emergency management field for the State of Rhode Island and then the federal government since then.

This event is for Varnum Members only! (You can join here!)

Reservations are required.

RSVP by NOON Friday, May 5. Please note: Our new online reservation system gives you the option to pay in advance when you make your reservation. For all inquiries send us an email.

When: Monday, May 8, 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 (dinner followed by program).
Where: Varnum Armory, 6 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI
Menu: Prime rib dinner
Fee: $25

[APR. 10 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Blake Ruehrwein on Monuments Officers of the 21st Century

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Join us on Monday, April 10 to hear about a new generation of the famed World War II Monuments Officers who are dedicated to protecting the world’s cultural heritage in areas of conflict. Speaker Blake Ruehrwein, Director of Education and Public Outreach at the Naval War College Museum, will examine the role the Army’s 21st Century Monuments Officers play in cultural heritage protection. Learn how these new capabilities evolved, the process of readying these warrior diplomats for service, and what it takes to become one.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Speaker Blake Ruehrwein

Blake Ruehrwein has over 15 years in the heritage and culture industry. With a master’s degree in art history, Blake’s career highlights include Exhibitions Team Member for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, Independent Curator in New York City, and Art History Instructor at universities locally and internationally. Currently, he serves as the Director of Education and Public Outreach at the Naval War College Museum in Newport, RI. In addition to his role as a Cultural Heritage Preservation Officer for the U.S. Army Reserve, Blake enjoys public speaking, triathlons, adventure, and spending time with his wife and kids in Massachusetts.

This event is for Varnum Members only! (You can join here!)

Reservations are required.

RSVP by NOON Friday, April 7. Please note: Our new online reservation system gives you the option to pay in advance when you make your reservation. For all inquiries send us an email.

VARNUM MEMBERS … Click here to RSVP!

When: Monday, April 10, 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 (dinner followed by program).
Where: Varnum Armory, 6 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI
Menu: Bourbon steak tips, potatoes, veggies of the season, salad, dessert and coffee
Fee: $25

[MAR. 20 DINNER MEETING] Maria Vazquez on Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor

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On Monday, March 20, Varnum Armory Vice President Maria Vazquez is the featured speaker for our monthly members meeting. Her presentation, “A Brief History of Anchors and the Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor,” will give an account of the history of anchors, how they developed, and how they were used. The presentation will continue with Maria’s insight into the thought and research that went into conserving an anchor from the USS Constellation, a sloop-of-war ship.

Maria Vazquez and the USS Constellation Anchor
Maria Vazquez and the USS Constellation Anchor
Maria Vazquez and the USS Constellation Anchor
Maria Vazquez and the USS Constellation Anchor
Maria Vazquez and the USS Constellation Anchor
Maria Vazquez and the USS Constellation Anchor
Maria Vazquez and the USS Constellation Anchor
Maria Vazquez and the USS Constellation Anchor
Maria Vazquez and the USS Constellation Anchor
Maria Vazquez and the USS Constellation Anchor

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Maria Vazquez

Maria Vazquez has a Master’s degree in Textile Conservation from the University of Rhode Island. She has appeared on multiple PBS specials, including one documenting the conservation she performed on the oldest, and most complete, flag in North America, the Byfield Flag. She is currently Vice President of the Varnum Memorial Armory in East Greenwich, RI, and works full-time as the Collections Manager for the Naval War College Museum in Newport, RI.

This event is for Varnum Members only! (You can join here!)

Reservations are required.

RSVP by NOON Friday, December 9. Please note: Our new online reservation system gives you the option to pay in advance when you make your reservation. For all inquiries send us an email.

VARNUM MEMBERS … Click here to RSVP!

When: Monday, March 20, 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 (dinner followed by program).
Where: Varnum Armory, 6 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI
Menu: Chicken Marsala, rice pilaf, veggies, salad, dessert and coffee
Fee: $25

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

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Halifax Explosion

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. Help from the military and civilian sources came from throughout Canada and New England. This event came to be known as The Halifax Disaster or Halifax Explosion.

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.

Aftermath in Halifax, the start of rescue efforts
Looking north from a grain elevator towards Acadia Sugar Refinery, circa 1900, showing the area later devastated by the 1917 explosion
SS Imo aground on the Dartmouth side of the harbour after the explosion
Halifax’s Exhibition Building. The final body from the explosion was found here in 1919.
Vew across the devastation of Halifax two days after the explosion, looking toward the Dartmouth side of the harbour.
The explosion devastated a large portion of Halifax and part of Dartmouth
Greg Banner

About the Speaker: Greg Banner graduated from West Point in 1979 and served on active duty in the United States Army for 21 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He had duty assignments and deployments throughout the world, including in Central America, Europe, Africa, The Middle East and Alaska. He retired in Rhode Island and has been working in the emergency management field since 2000, first for the State of Rhode Island and then for the Federal government. LTC Banner’s academic focus through two masters degrees has been in military history, and he continues to actively study a wide variety of military history topics. He is a member of the Tiverton Yacht Club, Herreshoff Museum, and the Varnum Continentals.

Reservations are required!

RSVP by NOON Friday, December 9. Please note: Our new online reservation system gives you the option to pay in advance when you make your reservation. For all inquiries send us an email.

Click here to RSVP!

WHEN: Monday, Dec. 12, 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 (dinner followed by program).
WHERE: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI
MENU: Prime rib dinner
FEE: $25 per person
CASH BAR: wine, beer, and soft drinks only.

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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