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Civil War Classes

Lake Michigan College Winter Semester offers The Civil War class

BENTON HARBOR, MI – Let it be said this isn’t your ordinary history class! The community education course will
be facilitated by two Vietnam veterans and a local attorney: Don Alsbro, LMC professor and President of Lest We
Forget; and Gary Lulenski, Civil War enthusiast; plus Mike Dumke, an expert in the Civil War era. The class is
structured around Ken Burns’ award-winning Civil War documentary and most sessions will feature a 60 to 90
minute presentation from this series. In addition, Lest We Forget has purchased “The American Civil War” from
Great Courses - a 24-hour course taught by Professor Gary Gallagher. Preceding each class, a segment will be
shown from 5:30-6:45pm. If you are interested in a deeper understanding of the Civil War, you will want to
attend these optional showings.

The class itself will be held Tuesdays from 7-9 pm, January 15 to April 30 on the Napier Avenue Campus, Benton
Harbor, in the Blue Lecture Hall (Room D-112). Most sessions will also feature guest speakers who are
recognized as authorities on the Civil War. For example, Abraham Lincoln will make several appearances, Bob
Myers will speak on the hardships of the soldier, authors will discuss various Michigan units in the Civil War, and
the roles of Generals Custer, Chamberlain and Upton will be discussed by their descendants.

Class topics include a prelude to the war, Berrien County casualties and heroes, ancestors of class members,
Michigan units in battle, medical treatment, Civil War flags, and letters from a Niles soldier. Amid the significant
events to be covered are entertaining elements added by course planners to bring history alive. These include a
Civil War Movie Marathon featuring films in their entirety at the Maud Preston Palenske Library in St. Joseph on
March 2 and the Heritage Center’s Civil War extravaganza featuring their exhibit, a public speaker and a Civil
War re-enactor musician demonstrating music of the era. You are invited to bring Civil War memorabilia you
may possess to this April 13 event. Admission is free for Civil War class students but the public will pay an
admission to each of these events.

The cost for the entire Civil War course is merely $39. There should be no problem determining which side you
are on…be on the winning side and register for The Civil War, CRN: 60413. Visit
www.lakemichigancollege.edu/ce where you can download and fax in your registration today.
Or call 800-252-1562 ext. 7502 beginning January 2.
Contact Don Alsbro at 269-925-7176, 269-921-7176 cell or dealsbro@comcast.net with additional questions.

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