Edition No. 10
In this Edition
Arts and Culture
The War Memorial is proud to present One For The Foxes in an exclusive virtual concert, available for free streaming now through January 1, 2021.
Community and Family
On the 79th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks, pause to recount first-hand experiences from both civilians and servicemen alike.
Thought Leadership
President and CEO Charles Burke shares local and national recognition of some of The War Memorial’s finest partners.
One For The Foxes: Take A Look Around
A War Memorial Exclusive Virtual Concert
Teased in the first edition of Inspired Thoughts, a new free exculsive virtual concert is now available from our transatlantic friends, One For The Foxes. Free with registration and available through January 1, 2021, this virtual concert can be streamed directly to your computer, mobile device, or smart TV.
One for the Foxes is an exciting and dynamic transatlantic trio that presents a rousing blend of Irish and American folk music, having already won over audiences on both sides of the ocean. The group is made up of Dublin's Tadhg Ó Meachair (Goitse), Galway's Dave Curley (SLIDE) and Denver, Colorado's Joanna Hyde (The Hydes), and features a mix of Irish and American folk music and song — both traditional and newly-composed — presented in an energetic and engaging manner. Their performances strike a tasteful balance between the stories found in ballads across both sides of the Atlantic and the respective instrumental music traditions of these places.
“Brilliant polished new music from a very popular trio, three musicians with a huge amount to say in every eloquent track.”
Pearl Harbor: We Remember
As today marks the 79th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor, we pause to remember the servicemen who lost their lives that fateful Sunday morning. And while it is important to us as a patriotic institution to recognize those killed that day aboard naval vessels and in airfields, as a nation, we must not forget the civilians affected and forever changed by the events of that day.
In a 2016 article from Smithsonian Magazine titled, The Children of Pearl Harbor (which also marked the 75th anniversary of the attacks), author Marc Wortman recounts his conversation with Charlotte Coe. Coe, who at the time of the attacks was a young eight-year-old living on Oahu, shares intimate details about her first-hand experience that morning. Charlotte was one of many individuals who carried the horrors of that day with them for the rest of their lives. This article, and her story, serve as a gentle reminder that while the attacks that day in 1941 forever changed our military and national defense, they also left a lasting impact on so many civilians and their families who simply inhabited the island.
For those who prefer a more visual and audio remembrance of Pearl Harbor, we invite you to view this 2016 clip from CBS Sunday Morning. Also featured in this segment are first-hand accounts of those who fought, witnessed, and survived the attacks. Stories from both civilians and naval officers remind those watching of the colossal impact this “day of infamy” will forever hold.
And as a team, The War Memorial staff honors and remembers the lives lost seventy-nine years ago during the attacks on Pearl Harbor. For their valor and bravery, we salute them. May we never forget their strength and dedication to our nation. And every day at The War Memorial, we continue to offer our gratitude to the men and women who selflessly serve and protect our freedoms.
Highlighting Community Partners On A Local and National Scale
From the Desk of the President and CEO, Charles Burke
At The War Memorial, we take pride in the partners we’ve chosen to surround ourselves with. Some of metro-Detroit’s most distinguished thought leaders: institutions and organizations who push the boundaries of arts and culture, challenge societal and ideological norms, and inspire creativity and adaptability even during the hardest of times. So, when a national publication features the talented work of our local partners, we can’t help but share and celebrate.
A recent piece from The New Yorker poses the question, “What does it mean to ‘reimagine’ an orchestra season?” Heavily mentioned in the article are two powerhouses in the Detroit art scene, Michigan Opera Theatre and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, both of which are eloquently praised for their ingenuity and perseverance in providing tangible arts performances in the face of a global pandemic. This piece from Alex Ross articulates the miraculous accomplishments of these organizations, including a drive-through Opera performance and outdoor chamber concerts.
Christine Goerke as Brünnhilde in Michigan Opera Theater’s “Twilight: Gods,” an abbreviation of Wagner’s “Götterdämmerung” presented as a drive-through show in a parking garage. No copyright infringement is intended.
The DSO welcomed back performances on open-air stages with Summer Sessions: DSO Outdoors—a series of outdoor, socially distant performances. Seen here, community members enjoy a chamber concert at the DSO’s Sosnick Courtyard. No copyright infringement is intended.
And while we highlight the innovative work of our partner organizations on the national stage, we must also applaud the assiduous work of our partners recognized at the local level. A recent piece in the Detroit Free Press summarized the results of the 2020 election in the Grosse Pointe communities, showcasing the objectives of three groups that routinely meet at The War Memorial. And while we remain scrupulously non-partisan, we’re proud to stand tall as a venue whose commitment to patriotism includes providing a space for thoughtful discussion on pressing public issues.
So, to our partners, we offer our sincere congratulations. Recognition on both the national and local stage speaks volumes to the level of programming, innovation, and leadership that runs through the heart of our city. As we continue to join hands with fellow community trailblazers, we are only more inspired by our mission to be a patriotic, cultural, and community leader. Please note: Subscriptions may be required to read full articles.
Charles Burke
President and CEO, The Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association
Inspired Thoughts is a collection of highly curated content that embraces the spirit and purpose of The War Memorial: arts and culture, community enrichment, leadership, and patriotism.
Derived from the notion that learning from others is the key to success, Inspired Thoughts is meant to shine a light on those making a difference in the world around them. This collection features artists, poets, writers, architects, and every thought leader in-between. Inspired Thoughts is the strongest reflection of what The War Memorial stands for, and what we aim to be.
The content featured on Inspired Thoughts is curated by War Memorial leadership — we also look forward to featuring special guest curators in the near future. If you are interested in providing content for Inspired Thoughts, please email our Community Engagement team at bhoste@warmemorial.org.