Message From Robb Centre Director Westcott

In November 1918, 105 years ago, the guns of war went silent. One of Park University’s own, 1st Lt. Lloyd Boutwell, succumbed in those waning days to the horrors of the war as did 117,465 other U S servicemembers We remember Boutwell’s ultimate sacrifice as an alumnus, husband, father and defender, and we acknowledge all servicemembers that have served and are serving our nation

In 2019, I was introduced to Alex Goldstein and Clark Slater of Lame Deer Films related to collaborating on a documentary highlighting the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War’s research for the Valor Medals Review Project. The introduction led to four years of filming, hours of conversations, voluminous emails and numerous screenings of the “More Than a Medal” documentary. Ashlyn Weber, Robb Centre associate director, and I express our deepest appreciation to Goldstein and Slater for their belief in the project and dedication to telling the narratives of servicemembers.

I often hear comments that the VMR research must be overwhelming, interesting and heartfelt. I agree to all three. However, the daily research conducted advances another response education. The project furnishes a professional opportunity for Kansas City high school interns and five Park University students who have completed divisional histories and numerous engagement templates of a dozen servicemember nomination packets These individuals are indispensable to our project but also to the narratives of each servicemember

Timothy Westcott, Ph.D. Director, George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War Park University