[JAN. 9 DINNER MEETING] Ernest Roberts Shares First-Hand Experiences from World War II
The Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive of World War II, was launched just over 73 years ago. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill called it, “undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war and will, I believe, be regarded as an ever-famous American victory.” Our January speaker, Mr. Ernest Roberts, was a […]
[DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Women in Combat: From the American Revolution to the Modern Day
The presence of women on the battlefield caring for the wounded goes back centuries. Women today serve in front-line duties, but that wasn’t an accepted practice in the past. Many stories exist about women who donned uniforms and fought beside men on the battlefield. Countless other women provided nursing care and support services behind the […]
[NOV. 14 DINNER MEETING] The journey to publication of the diary and story of Elisha Hunt Rhodes, 2nd RI Volunteers
One of the finest Civil War soldier’s diaries ever written was compiled by Elisha Hunt Rhodes of Cranston, RI. First published in 1985 by Andrew Mowbray of Lincoln, RI, under the title of “A History of the 2nd RI Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Great Rebellion”, the remarkable story of Rhodes’ four years […]
[SEPTEMBER 12 DINNER MEETING] Howard Vernon Allen, Community Leader and Legend
This month, as we approach the 110th anniversary year of the founding of the Varnum Continentals, trustee Brian Wallin takes us back in time to meet one of the founders of our organization and its longtime commander, H.V. Allen. Howard Vernon Allen was descended from one of Rhode Island’s founding families, and Brian will share […]
[JUNE 13 DINNER MEETING] Cookout at the Varnum House Museum
The June Varnum members’ meeting will be held on the grounds of the Varnum House Museum on Monday, June 13, 2016. It’s a chance to kick back, enjoy the gardens, and tour the historic 1773 Varnum House. Burgers, hot dogs, BBQ grilled chicken and all the staples of a summer cook-out will be served, plus […]
[MAY 9 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker LTC Oscar Diano (US Army): The Philippine Scouts and the Last Horse Cavalry Charge in Combat
The Philippine Scouts was a military organization of the United States Army from 1901 until the end of World War II. Made up of Filipino-Americans assigned to the United States Army Philippine Department, Philippine Scout units were given a suffix of (PS), to distinguish them from other U.S. Army units. One of these units, the […]
[APRIL 11 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker David Trimmer: Exploring the Titanic
The sinking of the steamship RMS Titanic has mesmerized and fascinated people for generations. What is it about this tragedy that has caught our collective imagination and interest from among the thousands of other tragedies that happened throughout history? Everyone knows the basics of the story of the Titanic, but how many know the many […]
[MARCH 14 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker Jim Egan: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Newport Tower Museum
Who doesn’t love a good mystery? Especially one that involves espionage, secret symbols, code words, significant ties to early Colonial history … and is located right in our back yard. At the March Varnum Continentals Member Dinner meeting, we’ll get an insider’s look at the mysterious Newport Tower, the 28-foot high remains of a round […]
[FEBRUARY 15 DINNER MEETING] Barbed Wire College: Rhode Island and the Secret POW Camps of World War II
EVENT UPDATE: Due to the possibility of a winter storm, the Varnum Members Meeting scheduled for February 8 has been postponed one week. The new meeting date is MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15. PLEASE RSVP AGAIN: If you have already RSVP’d and plan to attend the February 15 meeting, please RSVP again by FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, to […]
[JANUARY DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: John McNiff, Roger Williams National Memorial
The Varnum Continentals welcome John McNiff, a Ranger with the National Park Service at the Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence, as our guest speaker at the January Varnum Members Meeting on Monday, January 11, 2016. This dinner is open to Varnum Members and their guests, and is held at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum […]