This program at the Schuylkill County Historical Society will examine the war-time experiences of Schuylkill County native and World War II veteran Irvin Schwartz.
“Letters from War” Presentation at the Schuylkill County Historical Society
A letter from General James Gavin to a friend in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania – 1943
In the letter to a friend in his hometown, Gavin celebrated the teachers who made him and the soldiers who served with him in World War II.
“Destination Unknown” – An upsetting photograph and an American war relief effort in 1940
In June 1940, an American Red Cross chapter in Luzerne County used a powerful photograph of refugees to encourage donations for war relief.
“Christmas 1945” – The first Christmas after a long national struggle
The Shenandoah Evening Herald ran a moving editorial on Christmas Eve 1945 about the meaning of the holiday after World War II.
“Holiday Greetings” – A December 1944 advertisement for Stegmaier Brewery wished customers a “Victorious New Year”
A patriotic, holiday-themed beer advertisement from the Wilkes-Barre-based Stegmaier Brewing Company appeared in December 1944.
Epilogue – Irvin Schwartz and his remarkable letters from war
The final chapter in our "Letters from War" series on Sergeant Irvin Schwartz and his service in World War II.
After the Letters from War – Irvin Schwartz (1924-1992)
In one of our final posts in the Letters from War series, we examine Irvin Schwartz's post-war life.
Irvin Schwartz’s first sports column after returning from World War II – November 1945
Irvin Schwartz returns to his pre-war beat as the sports reporter for Pine Grove High School after serving in World War II.
The Final Letter from War – The voyage home from war aboard the USS Mount Vernon, October 1945
In a lengthy final letter from war, Sergeant Schwartz describes his departure from war-torn Europe bound for his home in America.
Letters from War – Return to the United States delayed by a broken ship propeller, September 1945
A broken down ship becomes all that's standing between Irvin Schwartz and his first visit to the United States since 1943.
Wynning History 