Arnold, Neb – A young man from Nebraska is sent to war, carrying with him the hopes of the free world. What Staff Sergeant Clarence Williams encounters are challenges that change his humanity forever.
Veterans’ history will no longer be a distant memory to the Arnold Community; the youngest to the oldest will be treated to a vivid recollection and a deep appreciation of our dedicated local heroes during a two-day event.
Not Too Far Distant performs on Monday, November 10th, at 6 pm at Arnold Public Schools. The production is presented by the William A Layton American Legion Post 130 and Auxiliary, Dean K. Leach Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6157, Arnold Area Historical Society, Arnold Public Schools, and Arnold Community Foundation.
Centered around personal letters from war, Not Too Far Distant teaches that sometimes what seems so far away is much closer than we think.
Legion Post 130 Commander John Phillips and Sergeant at Arms Mike Harvey spoke with KCNI/KBBN about the play featuring the experiences of Sergeant Williams and events surrounding it.
“It’s based on letters he wrote home almost every day to his wife and described a lot of the things he saw and experienced in World War II and then the liberation of Dachau,” explained Phillips “The acting self is quite simple, but the story is very well told in the conversations they have. You kind of fill in the blanks with what they’re seeing and as they describe it.”
In addition to a full performance of the play, Blixt Foundation staff and local veterans will be hosting an open house prior to and following the Monday night performance. Local historical military memorabilia will also be on display during the two-day event.
According to Phillips, “There’s an open house starting at five o’clock on Monday and there will be a lot of veterans memorabilia on display. There’ll probably be things from World War I or II, Korea, Vietnam, and then the subsequent wars on terror. Then students will be writing letters much in the style that Clarence wrote his letters even on the same type of stationary. Classes are going to present those to the veterans that are there.”
The visiting artists will also meet with students throughout the school day to build a better understanding between youth and local veterans, assisting the Arnold One Act production and working in history and English classrooms with students.
“The next day after the play the next day starting at 9:30 we put on a Veterans Day program. We will post colors and several of the classes have reading poems and lead us in the pledge at the Arnold Public School,” said Phillips
Added Harvey, “The third grade do a flag folding ceremony where they talk about what each fold means and that and that helps for the students to understand what that is about.”
Lincoln playwright Becky Boesen, who wrote Not Too Far Distant, both acts as the director of the production, and will be the featured speaker for the Veterans Day program on November 11th. Boesen looks forward to sharing her passion and appreciation locally.
“It’s almost unbelievable that anyone could be hardened to the point of doing the brutal things they did,” said Boesen, speaking of the atrocities committed in the holocaust.
Filled with hope and heart, Not Too Far Distant honors the experience of the American soldier and will provide a powerful reminder of the power and responsibility to help create a brighter future. The Veterans Day activities in Arnold on November 10 and 11 are free and open to the public.
