speaker program Archives - Varnum Continentals

[APR. 11 DINNER MEETING] Varnum Trustee Brian L. Wallin speaking on “Jamestown and the Military”

April 1, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Varnum Continentals are pleased to announce that Members Meetings have resumed!

***Soldiers at Fort Greble on Dutch Island Island raise the National Colors.***

Varnum Trustee Brian L. Wallin leads our return to monthly member meetings with a presentation on “Jamestown and the Military.” Incorporated in 1678, Jamestown has a long, diverse military history. From early colonial days into the 20th century, Jamestown has experienced occupation (and devastation) by the British during the American Revolution, as well as U.S. Civil War encampments, major coastal fortifications, highly classified military research and communications facilities, and even a pair of top-secret World War II German POW camps. This lecture includes numerous, rare visual images and anecdotes.

PLEASE NOTE: Reservations are required and MUST be received by NOON, Friday, April 8. NO WALK-INS ALLOWED!

RSVP to Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or scott@ritemps.com.

WHEN: Monday, April 11, 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 (dinner followed by program).
WHERE: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI
MENU: Steak filet steak tips, garlic mashed potatoes, salad, dessert & coffee
FEE: $20
CASH BAR: wine, beer, and soft drinks only.

About Brian L. Wallin

Brian Wallin, a veteran broadcast news reporter and producer. — ***Brian L. Wallin***

Brian L. Wallin is a 1965 graduate of Stonehill College, and earned his master’s degree in 1968 from American International College. He retired in 2009 as Vice President of Kent Hospital in Warwick, RI where he remains active on several hospital committees. He has held appointments in numerous civic and professional organizations. He is a past president of the New England Society for Healthcare Communications and of the North Kingstown (RI) Rotary Club. He has been a member of the Varnum Armory & Varnum House Museums since 2008 and was named a trustee in 2013. Married in 1968, he and his wife Gail have one son and two grandsons. Brian is an avid guitarist, model railroader and marine model builder. He continues to do free-lance commercial and documentary voice-over narrations.

[CANCELLED] Naval War College Museum and Varnum Armory Special Lecture, “The Lucky Few: The Story of the USS Kirk” with Commander Hugh J. Doyle, USN

March 3, 2020 By James Mitchell Varnum

In light of the ongoing and accelerating spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum and the Naval History and Heritage Command have made the decision to CANCEL the Vietnam War Veterans Day Program on Sunday, March 29.

We hope to reschedule the Vietnam Veterans program once these virus concerns pass.

Thank you, and from all of us at the Naval War College Museum and Varnum Continentals, stay healthy!

***“The Lucky Few: The Story of the USS Kirk” with Commander Hugh J. Doyle***

On Sunday, March 29, the Naval War College Museum and Varnum Memorial Armory Museum will hold a special program in honor of 2020 Vietnam War Veterans Day. The event will be hosted at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI, 02818. A showing of the documentary, “The Lucky Few: The Story of the USS Kirk” will begin at 3:00 PM and will be followed by a question and answer session with CDR Hugh J. Doyle, USN (Ret.), former Chief Engineer of the USS Kirk during the Fall of Saigon. All Vietnam Veterans will be recognized during the program.

Museum lectures and programs are free and open to the public, and no reservations are required. For details, contact Jessica Fowler, Naval War College Museum, Director of Education and Public Outreach (401-841-7276 // jessica.fowler@usnwc.edu).

Varnum Memorial Armory Open for Tours (1:00 PM to 3:00 PM)

As a special treat, the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum will be open for tours of its extensive military museum prior to the event from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

About the Program

“The Lucky Few: The Story of the USS Kirk” with CDR Hugh J. Doyle
Sunday, March 29, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

As the Vietnam War reached its tragic climax in the last days of April 1975, a task force of United States (US) Navy ships cruised off South Vietnam’s coast. Their mission was to support the evacuation of American embassy personnel and military advisers from Saigon as well as to secure the safety of the South Vietnamese whose lives were endangered by the North Vietnamese victory. The Lucky Few recounts the selfless acts of heroism of the 275 Officers and Sailors of the US Navy ship USS Kirk (DE-1087). The crew of the Kirk, trained as warriors, was suddenly forced into an unexpected role in the evacuation of refugees from Saigon. Dubbed Operation Frequent Wind, it was the final act of the Vietnam War.

About Commander Hugh J. Doyle, USN (Retired)

Commander Hugh J. Doyle, USN (Retired) served as a Surface Warfare Officer for more than twenty years. As a young Lieutenant, and the Chief Engineer on USS Kirk (DE-1087) in 1975, he took part in Operation Eagle Pull (the evacuation of Cambodia), Operation Frequent Wind (the evacuation of Vietnam), and Operation New Life (the voyage of 32 vessels of the former South Vietnamese Navy, carrying more than 33,000 refugees from Vietnam to the Philippines). CDR Doyle served as Executive Officer (XO) of the USS Fanning (FF-1076) and was promoted to Commander while attached to the Fanning. He is a graduate of the Naval War College, the former Vice President and the current Historian of the USS Kirk Association; a steam engineering specialty “hard hat” tour guide for the museum battleship, USS Massachusetts; and a weekly volunteer at the Somerset, MA headquarters of the National Association of Destroyer Veterans – Tin Can Sailors. He now resides in Middletown, Rhode Island. He is the husband of the late Judy Doyle, the father of three, and the grandfather of four wonderful grandchildren.

[APR. 8 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: Brian Wallin on “Dutch Island Then and Now”

April 1, 2019 By James Mitchell Varnum

From its earliest inhabitants (possibly as far back as 12,000 years ago) up to modern times, 55-acre Dutch Island in the center of the Narragansett Bay’s west passage, has played an interesting role. From Italian explorer Giovanni deVerrazano‘s first visit to the bay in 1524, to the arrival of the Dutch in the early 17th century, to its time as a key element in the defense of the Bay, to its status today as part of the Bay Island Park System, Varnum trustee, author and historian Brian L. Wallin takes us through the years for an illustrated look at how Dutch Island has changed with the centuries.

The program includes rarely seen visuals of ancient artifacts plus a tour of today’s island. Brian, who also serves as a narrator for the Rhode Island Fast Ferry Lighthouse Cruises, will include the story of the Dutch Island lighthouse, its colorful keepers that kept the beacon shining until the 20th century, and the light’s new lease on life.

Please RSVP by 5:30 pm Friday, April 5 to Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or by email at scott@ritemps.com.

MEETING DATE: Monday, April 8
TIME: 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 (dinner followed by presentation)
LOCATION: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI
DINNER MENU: Carved ham, baked scrod, scalloped potatoes, seasonal veggies, dessert
FEE: $20/person

A 10-inch disappearing gun at Fort Greble.

[FEB. 11 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: P. DiMaria and R. Pedro on RI Civil War soldier Private Alfred G. Gardner

February 6, 2019 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum exhibit that features the battle-scarred Bible and other artifacts belonging to Rhode Island Civil War soldier Private Alfred G. Gardner (Battery B First Rhode Island Light Artillery) tells a story of sacrifice and devotion to a higher cause. The Bible served as Gardner’s private journal, in which he made observations and recorded his thoughts. Private Gardner witnessed some of the most epic and horrific events of the American Civil War, including Antietam, Chancellorsville, Fredricksburg, and Gettysburg, where he was killed in action while manning his gun. Now known as the Gettysburg Gun, this important relic is on display at the Rhode Island Statehouse.

At our February 11 meeting, the Varnum Continentals welcome Phil DiMaria and Ray Pedro, both of Battery B First Rhode Island Light Artillery, as they tell Private Gardner’s emotional and inspiring story. Come early and take time to see the artifacts and Gardner Bible before the presentation.

Please RSVP by 5:30 pm Friday, February 8 to Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or by email at scott@ritemps.com.

Meeting Date: Monday, February 11
Time: 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 (dinner followed by presentation)
Location: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI
Dinner Menu: Bacon-wrapped filet, baked potato bar, green beans almondine, Caesar salad, coffee and dessert
Fee: $20/person

[JAN. 14 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: John McNiff on the 1772 Gaspee Affair

January 9, 2019 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Varnum Continentals welcome John McNiff 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 at 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI.

McNiff has created and presented numerous programs and lectures about Roger Williams, co-founder founder of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and early proponent of religious freedom. He has consulted, worked on, and appeared in several films about the Colonial period, with a special focus on the early Colonial history of Rhode Island. Here’s a sample from YouTube!

John McNiff is a Rhode Island native. Raised in Warwick, he attended Rhode Island College and received his BA in History with a minor in Anthropology in 1979. After studying archaeology in England and working on numerous archaeological projects throughout New England, he received his MA in Anthropology, specializing in archaeology, in 1990 from SUNY Binghamton. In 1996 John began working with the National Park Service and in 1997 was stationed as a Park Ranger at the Roger Williams National Memorial on North Main Street in Providence.

Please RSVP by 5:30 PM on Friday, January 11, to Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or by email at scott@ritemps.com.

Meeting Date: Monday, January 14, 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 (dinner followed by presentation).
Time: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
Location: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum
Dinner Menu: Italian dinner: stuffed shells, eggplant Parmesan, sausage, potatoes, peppers & onions, antipasto, Italian bread, coffee and spumoni
Fee: $20/person