On behalf of the Smithsonian Institution and its secretary, lonnie bunch, id like to welcome you all to the next Smithsonians National museum of Natural History and this very special graduation ceremony. Im richard curran, the smithsonians distinguished scholar and ambassador at large. First and foremost, i like to extend the welcome to our colleagues and friends from the u. S. Army, distinguished leaders, and, of course, our officer our graduates and their rightly proud and maybe families. Id like to welcome distinguished guests from the Monuments Men and women foundation, including members of the board and relatives of the world. Two monuments officers. This is a very special occasion. I dont usually wear this every day to work at the smithsonian. But id also like to welcome our guests from, bank of america, whove supported the initiative from the beginning. And finally, my smithsonian colleagues and those from sister organizations involved in Cultural Heritage protect like the department of state, the fbi, the international council, museums and others who in this program, as instructors, guides and enablers. The ceremony today and what it stands for especially significant. And since we as a museum study and present history all the time. Let take the liberty for a few moments to tell you how and why we got here. The recent history begins 2010 with the earthquake in haiti. They killed over 200,000 people and left the country in a devastated state. Haitians looked toward history and culture to give them strength. A sense of brazilian at the time they needed it most to recover from that tragedy. But their artwork, their artifacts, their archives, the museum and libraries, galleries all were buried under the rubble and in danger of being lost forever. The smithsonian had close ties to many figures in haiti and wanted to help. But quite we didnt know what to do. Enter cory wegner, a curator at the Minneapolis Institute of art, a reservist who served in iraq. This is a Civil Affairs officer and helped save the baghdad and the jewish archives sponsored by the work of the Monuments Men and women of World War Two. She called a meeting in washington. Leaders of cultural institutions came and as smithsonian secretary undersecretary at the time i listened to what she had to say. She knew what she was talking about. And a few weeks after meeting, corey, we were in haiti with Southern Command general ken keane, who was leading some 12,000 u. S. Troops, providing humanitarian and civil support in haiti. He encouraged and aided our effort to save its cultural. Then in room, we worked and plan with haitian officials, the minister in charge of response and recovery was a guy named patrick tour. Hed been a Research Fellow here at the smithsonian, a curator for our Folklife Festival program years. At the time, after that earthquake with his country in ruins, he was reading a book recently published book written by robert edsel called the Monuments Men that inspired him and calvin urged him that we should undertake this effort to try to rescue haitis Cultural Heritage in the of the earthquake and its destruction. The haitian president and the white house agreed and with backing funding from the Broadway League and u. S. Aid and expertise. The American Institute of conservation and corey wagners prowess. We mounted a major effort. We rented a building and compound. We hired haitian led staff. We established conservation facilities, deployed experts from the smithsonian and other museums, saved 35,000 artworks. An artifact. Trained more than a hundred haitians. And conservation first aid repaired and improved galleries and museums. And with the help of ben stiller established a conservation center. This university in port au prince. So that haitians can be to to conserve Cultural Heritage in their own hands as rightly should be the case. I hired corey at the smithsonian and we started the Cultural Rescue Initiative. We got a congressional appropriation and crucial key support from Bank America Bank of america from the very beginning we were short we were called on to respond to crises in mali, nepal, syria, iraq and egypt, the bahamas and working domestically with and others. We took on project superstar in new york after, Superstorm Sandy in texas, carolina, the midwest, puerto rico, u. S. Virgin islands and elsewhere. Corey ran trainings, workshops for Civil Affairs officers. We cooperated with dod on no target lists for the middle east or college with the Museum Conservation center. Were running Training Programs in irbil for iraqi archeologist and heritage professionals and the smithsonian was training fbi agents and experts, as well as those from homeland security. Corey led our efforts working with the university of pennsylvania Cultural Heritage center, the american for the advancement of science and others to develop methods for analyzing cultural damage industry. Action by icis and by assad via satellite monitor. In 2016, president obama signed the protect and preserve Cultural Property act and under the leadership of the state department that has brought together d. O. D. , doj, the fbi, the smithsonian and another dozen federal agencies to coordinate to help save Cultural Heritage around the world. Now, with dod corey and the us committee, the blue shield, penn and, others researched and printed that pinpointed cultural sites that were due protection and that during the allied taking of raqqa and mosul from isis, those booklets were carried by troops in the field on the ground. And they were written in arabic, kurdish and english. And the point of them was that in our retaking of those cities, we not destroy what isis was trying to destroy as part of their mission by 2019, while so many efforts in flour, it clear that more would be needed in the future as the u. S. And its military would be called on in both conflict and humanitarian crises to help safeguard cultural. We needed to up the partnership. We had a great ally in colonel de jesse, who worked closely. Corey. Colonel de jesse. His stuff had a great sense of mission and envisioned we could do together. In 2019, he and general geoffrey coggin from the u. S. Army Civil Affairs command and its more as say you said, kapok. I know that. Came to the smithsonian. And amidst meetings with Lynne Nichols nicholas, who had written a seminal study rape of europa about work to protect Cultural Heritage, World War Two viewed our collections at the archives of american art, where we keep the monuments officers materials, photographs from their mission, notebooks from monuments, officers. And we signed an agreement reestablishing the of monuments officers. We then faced training in the midst of covid, but worked closely together with the military, with the situation in in afghanistan, trying to protect both artifacts and people. I remember those days. 24 seven scott, corey and i were on the phone emailing texting, trying to do right by the heritage of afghanistan. Now, with ukraine, weve been getting supplies and materials into our colleagues who are postcivil war, who is trained. Corey and the team was a smithsonian fellow during the time of the haiti project. He is now a leader. Ukrainian Cultural Heritage protection efforts in light of the russian invasion. And one of our graduates today, hayden bassett, who works at the virginia of Natural History leads, the Cultural Heritage Monitoring Lab in partnership with the smithsonian. He and his team monitor by satellite meet some 28,000 cultural sites in ukraine and incorporate with the state Department Document potential war crimes related to cultural damage and destruction. All of this thats capsule history. Sorry for taking so but its important to know that story all of this is what brings together today. Cultural gives us as human beings as people of particular nations and communities a sense of identity gives us a sense of our history. It provides touchstones for learning about the past. It provides knowledge and hopefully some wisdom to live in the present. And it provides a source of strength and resilience, enabling us to overcome and build, sometimes rebuild our future in light of so and so many increasing to Cultural Heritage. We need to increase our capabilities. You you are the founding and inaugural class of monuments officers, men and women. And you are the foundation of that effort. Thank you. My my boss lonnie bunch, the secretary of the smithsonian couldnt be here today, but lonnie has been with the smithsonian and for over 40 years the founding director of the National Museum of African American history and culture, a great and historian, lonnie bunch, i think we have the video. Inaugural graduates of the Army Monuments officer training program. Hello and congratulations on. This special day as secretary of the smithsonian. Im so gratified for the work youre doing for the past several days. Youve undertaken training, the military, operational. Youve learned. And the Cultural Heritage Emergency Response methods smithsonian staff have taught you or give you the tools to make a difference around the world. Youve also volunteered and an oath to serve as military. A selfless commitment to demonstrated degree to which you care about this project as the nations preeminent cultural institution. For 175 years. It is the smithsonians responsibility to protect architecture, artifacts and objects of cultural and religious heritage. The 1954 Hague Convention was the first multilateral treaty to urge cultural institutions to Cultural Heritage. A preamble that convention noted, quote, damage Cultural Property belong to any people means damage Cultural Heritage of all mankind since each people makes its contribution to the culture of the world. To me it was a clarion call for our profession to recognize that culture is essential for. Our shared future. The threats that loom our irreplaceable heritage are as pronounced as ever. Whether it is a Natural Disaster climate change, political instability, or when an earthquake. Haiti in 2010, a the smithsonians determination to help preserve culture no matter where it was. My dear dr. Richard cure and smithsonian scholar and ambassador at large let our efforts help train colleagues in haiti. The work began more than a decade ago continues in a permanent facility in port prince. The we created and the impact we made convinced us to create the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative led by Cory Waggoner and the lessons of haiti. It has had a tremendous impact. Thats true. Places around the world like egypt nepal and syria, but also here in the United States, in places like posthurricane florence, south. Another way we protect Cultural Heritage is through our collaborate nation with the u. S. State department, Cultural Heritage, coordinating committee. As a charter member, the smithsonian facilitates sharing data and knowledge to better preserve and protect the cultural output of peoples everywhere. The war in ukraine is a reminder of just how important these kinds of efforts are as the war takes terrible toll, not just on its citizens, but also its history and culture. It is vital that we continue improving ability to make a difference, dismiss cultural risk Resource Initiative who is partnering the Virginia Museum of Natural History on the Cultural Heritage Monitoring Lab using satellite imagery to monitor about 28,000 Ukrainian Cultural sites to document any damage and share it with the proper. And the profound value of making connections was underscored when colleagues from ukraine who participated in previous Cultural Heritage courses alerted us to the plight of. Several ukrainian fulbright scholars thanks the efforts of our office of advancement, the office of international and the Office Academic appointments. The smithsonian is hosting four of the scholars whose academic ended in may. How did they not have this opportunity . They would have had to return to uncertain situation in. Their war torn home at heart. The Army Monuments Officers Training program is a recognition that culture transcends, geography, race or religion. Preserving the artistic, cultural products of human creativity is a noble endeavor. I thank you all for recognizing the Intrinsic Value of protecting the tangible and intangible expressions of our shared humanity. Congratulations again, and thank you for all you do. Thank you. Now, it gives me pleasure to introduce larry to rita, the bank of america, right. Thanks very much, richard. Just to show that the army still has a sense of humor, they put me in front of general carter, marched down the aisle. I was in the navy for 15 years. But i hope. I didnt embarrass you too badly, general im larry dirita. As dr. Kirwin said, im the president for bank of america for greater washington, d. C. Its truly a privilege. Im here on behalf of 200,000 teammates, including about thousand in this area, to thank you for what youre doing, to express our great pride and privilege that we have, be the principal corporate funder of this of the smithsonians Cultural Rescue Initiative and of this program. Its you know, we truly value history and legacy in our company. And that dont measure it in the thousands of years that you do with the work youre doing. But our companies oldest element goes back to 1784. The Massachusetts Bank we have ledgers with john hancock and, paul revere as clients here in washington. It goes back to the bank of metropolis. We funded 20 of the rebuilding of washington after the british. I see a few brits in the audience destroyed our capitol. Were over that now but were really proud our time our time with this cultural Risk Initiative goes back a little less time. 2018, we were, as richard said, the original corporate funder. Were very proud to do that. Its in line with other work that we do. Our company has an Art Conservation program that we fund. Weve funded weve funded the restoration of 6000 pieces of art around the world in more than 40 countries. Pieces of art that needed to be restored. Tapestries. Paintings sculptures, etc. Its just something that we believe is a very important aspect of culture and of society. We also have a long standing relationship with the military. Im a former military officer myself. We have probably about 20,000 plus or minus military military spouses, family members in our company. And we we this year alone, 20 of all of our hires in the company been military, former military. So we a great legacy with the United States military of were very proud. And then finally a long relationship with the smithsonian. Lonnie. Terrific, great american, one of the finest men in the city. We weve been we were a Founding Member of the board of the National Museum of africanamerica history and culture. Our ceo remains remains on that board. And were very proud. So this Program Actually ties together Three Streams of activities, the milt support to the military instruments, support to the smithsonian. Thats very important to our company. Its terrific to work with richard and cory and the others colonel to jesse and team to be able to support you and what youre going to do this very important. I had the privilege in a prior life to be the head of Public Department of defense. I had a great opportunity to work with a lot of Civil Affairs officers. Psychologic officers, and related professions in the other services. I also had a chance to spend time during the phase four operation in iraq after iraqi freedom in baghdad, with team that was over there immediately after the hostile operations what went to the Baghdad Museum saw the terrible devastation. Corey was there at the time, i dont think we were there at the same time, but she was at the rescue that was taking place at that time and then coming full circle with the restoration of many of the pieces of art over the last 20 years. Its incredible what youre doing. Im just its a privilege for, bank of america to be part of it and a privilege me to be here with you today to help you celebrate your incredible achievements. So thank you very much and congratulations. Thank you, larry. And convey thanks to Brian Moynihan as well. Been with us every step of the way. Now id like to to introduce Brigadier General andre carter from fort bragg, who is with us today and i guess will tell us about our partnership and our future together. General carter. I want to start out by saying thank you to the organization friends and individuals who have supported and continue to cultivate the partnership between the smithsonian and the United States army Civil Affairs and psychology operations command. Thats the whole thing. Using kapok, having a partner, the smithsonian offers a platform for our top Army Profession trained with respected expert and top level institutions, and build a network of Cultural Heritage specialists. It is an honor for me to congratulate the first cohort of Army Monuments officers. Each of our Cultural Heritage professionals and experts in their respective fields we have archeologists archivists, curators, educators, data scientists, museum directors, history artists, provenance researchers, legal advisors, environmental managers and Cultural Program managers. Right here. And they will selflessly serve in the United States army reserve and impart their specialized skills to protect Cultural Property in conflict zones. Cultural Property Protection is a military. Doing during World War Two. General eisenhowers guidance to allied commanders on Historical Monuments was very clear, and i quote today we are fighting in a country which has contributed great deal to our cultural inheritance as a country, rich in monuments, which by their creation helped and now in their old age illustrate the growth of the civilization which is ours. We are bound to respect those monuments. So far as war allows. General eisenhower then orders all to recover historic monuments. Whether there were head of their lines or in areas by allied forces together. The mommsen Monuments Men made that happen and tracked down millions stolen artifacts. Why . Why would general eisenhower make it a military necessity . What is the operational value to a Cultural Property protection to the military . Well, its quite simple. It is because we value our partners cultures and we are to protecting it. Monuments, rich sources of history and culture. They are central in how societies interpret. Remember their own past. Heritage is a human right. Protecting Cultural Property is a military necessity. And such. You are charged to advise commanders and civil authorities on how heritage offers the means and ways to identify catalysts of instability and. To develop an operational approach and it serves as a foundational basis for reconciliation. Thats what you are charged. Do considering the recent conflict in iraq, afghanistan and now ukraine. This graduation is timely. The value of our partnership and the partnerships that you have built here in this training class is not only in the training that youve had the past ten days, but also in the u. S. Armys legacy of protecting heritage. Heritage in our partners, legacy of protecting protecting heritage from the men and women. World war two through the conflicts of the korean and vietnam wars and the global war on terrorism. We have an the call to service. And to you todays new monument. Men and women. Its an honor and privilege to serve alongside you my brothers and sisters in arms. Thank you for your service. And to the family members of those who served and those serving now. Thank you and congratulations. Thank you very much. General carter. And now id like to introduce robert edsel. Robert is a very well successful athlete. Successful businessman, a noted and distinguished philanthropist, and gave the world a gift. Gave us a gift in. The remembrance of the story World War Two and the Monuments Men and women who helped give to culture Cultural Heritage and help save the spirit of humankind. Robert in his book turned into a movie really expert raised tens of millions, even hundreds of millions of people in so many places around world about this mission. And as i noted and i told robert ahead of time that he did not know that story about haiti. Here was minister in haiti, charged with rebuilding country after 200,000 people had died and his country lay in ruins and he was inspired by robert ansels book. Robert. Thank you much for those comments. Richard. Exceedingly kind and im deeply touched by your story about what took place with the in haiti. Thats something else. I want thank general. Of course, the teams at the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative and our army Civil Affairs and psychological psychological operations command, airborne and in particular, corey wagner and colonel scott to jesse for their work in creating this Army Monuments officer training program. And of course, making this event possible trustees and Advisory Board members of the foundation are here today and i want to thank you. And we have special guests among, us family members of the World War Two, Monuments Men and women. Please stand when i call the name of your hero and hours commander george stout. Major robert posey. Captain james romer romer. Captain walker hancock. Tech five. Charles holds. And captain walter hutch howson, one of two monuments officers killed in action during the final weeks of the war war. Thank you. Your presence adds meaning to the ceremony. Words alone cannot express. To the proud families and friends of the graduate. Your loved ones have run the way. Run the race. Well. Your constant support and encouragement of them makes this day. Yours as much as theirs. And to the graduates, the Monuments Men and women of the 21st century. This is not a normal graduation ceremony. Each you has already built accomplished career. Youve answered many of lifes challenging questions. But you wanted something that involved an even greater personal sacrifice for an even higher cause. Now embark on this new and noble journey as monuments officers you follow in the footsteps of a group of scholars, archivists, artists, librarians who 80 years ago were tossed into the chaos of world war with pitifully resources and a mission that they largely designed implemented on the fly. Along the way, they learned more than a few things about obstacles. In the course of the past 20 years, researching the Monuments Men and women. So did i. So in our time together, like to share with you a few stories about their journey and mine. Because today those two roads converge with. My in these heroes began in 1996 standing on the Ponte Vecchio bridge in florence when i wondered millions of priceless works, art and cultural objects survive the most war in history and. Who were the people who saved them in the ensuing years . Curiosity about the subject led me to produce the Emmy Award Nominated documentary rape of europa based on an outstanding book by scholar lin nicholas. As that project wound down, i realized that it so many other works concentrated on the bad guys. The story that i wanted to know involves the good guys. Who were these middle men and women who walked from established careers and family to volunteer for military service and go into harms way to save Museum Treasures . Library and churches . While my small team tried to find every living monuments, man and woman, i began traveling around the country to meet and interview those wed identified. My eighth trip took me to Williams College in massachusetts to meet a man named lane faison. The third lanes wartime involvement involved interrogating the guys. To unravel and document hitlers plans to build a museum in. His hometown of linz, austria lane, appeared to be in health for a 98 year old man. But one of his sons warned me in advance that he seldom stayed awake for more 30 minutes and admonished me. Dont be disappointed if. Pop doesnt stay awake long and you dont learn much from your conversation. And what a conversation was that lasted more than 3 hours. As lane flipped through pictures i had of the monuments and women stopping periodic to stare at images that transported him back in time as memory was jogged a twinkle in his eye appeared and his arms moved enthusiastically with the telling of each story. Until we were both exhausted and needed to stop. As i rose to goodbye, i approached his recliner and extended my hand. And thanks. Lane reached out, firmly, gripping it with. Both of his hands pulled close to him and said, ive been waiting to meet you all my life. That statement left me bewildered for days. I asked, what did he mean . But deep down inside, i knew what he meant. And i knew he wanted me to do. It was the thought how i was going to do it that left me feeling inadequate and overwhelmed. Then days later, one of my colleagues called to inform me that lane had died a week shy of his 99th birthday. It was veterans day. I flew back to Williams College three weeks later to attend lanes memorial service, where his four sons warmly greeted me. What happened . I ask his boys. Your dad seemed in perfect health. I left. He was. They told me. But the day after you left, pop called each of us and told us to say our goodbyes. He was ready to go. He then slipped into a coma and died peacefully. The following week. Meeting lane faison changed the course of my life, a project that had begun, out of curiosity. Was, from that point on, a mission. My role was that of messenger. My jewish friends referred to that moment as patient destiny. At the outset. My mission. Ignorance was asset. I couldnt foresee any reason why the Monuments Men and women story couldnt used to engage the public and change the world. The array of opportunities seemed endless. From honoring the Monuments Men and women for their military service to reconstituting the monuments officer program to a narrative telling of their story to a film. Even building a Permanent Museum exhibit honoring and preserving legacy for all time. Though i had no formal education in art and architecture, no training, how to write, much less sell a book, no experience in how to produce a film or start and run a not for foundation. I had a little bit of money, a lot of curious city and boundless passion for these heroes story. But as the time passed, i learned the hard way that ignorance is also a pain and sometimes painful. In 2005, brimming with confidence, i met with publishers about my idea for a photographic telling of the monuments story. They told me no ones interested in world war stories anymore. Besides, everyone knows the Monuments Men story. And i said save me from myself. Tell me the name of the book. And i wont do it. But they couldnt because there was no such book with, no alternative except quitting. I decided id selfpublished the book rescue intervention vinci, which meant that instead of just writing a book. I also had to learn about how the publishing and distribution district auction business worked. That ended up being a great success, but lasting importance was in laying the foundation for the work that followed. More obstacles awaited me. In 2006, i met with congressional aides about recognizing the Monuments Men and women with the congressional gold medal, which is here at the smithsonian. Our nations highest civilian award. How hard could that right . They discouraged me from even. Its a long and difficult process. They said, you do realize that you have to pass a bill in both houses of the congress and then get the president to sign it into law, dont you . Well, they were correct in part. It was a long and difficult process. We had to overcome many challenges. But in 2015, after nine years of meeting with members of congress and their aides, we watched with joy as majority and minority leaders, john boehner, harry reid, nancy pelosi and Mitch Mcconnell welcomed Monuments Men and one woman on stage and presented them on behalf of the 348 individuals from 41 nations who served monuments. Men and women. The congressional gold medal in 2012. Concerned about my mental wellbeing. Some of my friends begged me to abandon my dream sharing these heroes story with a global audience. Youve been out to hollywood to pitch the film dozen, dozen times. Its never going to happen, said. Declare victory and go. Youve done enough. I heard the word never a lot in those, but i also heard the voice of laine faison whispering in my ear, hang in there a while longer. The phone call informing me that George Clooney wanted to make. The film changed all that. Today, the terms Monuments Men as ubiquitous is familiar. Volunteers in timbuktu trying preserve precious manuscripts as it is to our graduates. But there was a moment when it could have turned out very differently. When my idealism had to overcome my ego. After several weeks of a lawyer conveyed take it or leave it, offer to me and told me i had won power to decide or there would be no deal and no film. I out to my car and drove around the block for about 20 minutes thinking about all the work done, researching and writing the book. And it was at that selfish mindset that my better angel appeared to remind me that my role was that of messenger. Being an author was just a mode of transmission. The story didnt belong to me. It belonged to the world. Getting the film made was all that mattered. Thats what lane faison would have wanted. In the years ive been reminded often that dedication to a cause presents ending challenges that plumb depth of your commitment. Sometimes in life, the biggest obstacle to completing your mission is. Thanks. The Monuments Men and women of. World war two would be proud of what you accomplished and your dedication to this important. If they were. I know they would want you to consider too difficult questions that defined military service and may define yours. The first would be the timeless question of priorities in a world struggling with disease, starvation and war. Why even bother . With something so esoteric as the protection of Cultural Heritage as early as 1942, art restored. George stout, who would become the leader of the Monuments Men in western europe and establish their operation in postwar japan address this question. When he made the moral argument for cultural preservation officers, he said to safeguard these things will not affect the outcome of battles, but it will affect the relations of invading armies with those people and their governments to safeguard these things will show respect for beliefs and customs of all men, and will bear witness that these belong not only to a particular, but also to the heritage. Mankind. In december 1943, the Monuments Men who were in europe, all 12 of them, were that the operation had stalled. They were hitchhiking way from town to town with, no command, authority and few resources do their job. Some, whether the army was truly committed to the stated objective of preserving Cultural Treasures, or was the operation merely an attempt to counter nazi propaganda that western allied troops arriving on the shores of europe . Determined to steal its art and cultural. Today we know the answer. On december 29th, 1943, eisenhower orders to his commanders to work with the monuments officers and respect Cultural Treasures so much as allowed. This was the endorsement of mission that the Monuments Men desperately needed . Eisenhower issued a similar two weeks prior to the normandy landings. At wars end, he set aside ad bureaucracy to accelerate the return of major cultural objects to the countries from which theyd been stolen after the war, general eisenhower weighed in, stating, in a democracy least, there always stands the materialism and destructiveness of war. Those ideals for which it is fought. One of those ideals the preservation of works, of art and other cultural objects, ideals dont have an expiry date. It mattered then, and it matters today. They constituted the moral of why we fought that war. Learn from our experience. The Monuments Men and women would you confiscation and destruction of Cultural Property provide advance notice of the mass killings that are sure to follow. Its the nazi playbook used by the taliban. Al qaeda, isis and. Now russias leader, vladimir putin. As we bear witness to the loss of life in ukraine and the destruction of its Cultural Heritage, can there be any question in that preservation of our Cultural Heritage matters more today than ever. Then there are the practical arguments the United States represents 4 of the worlds population. Most americans dont have a centuries old tradition of venerate for art and cultural objects. Our new nations tend to be. Our new nations treasures tend to be more. For example, ideas that are embodied in our most historic documents, including the declaration of independence and the constitution. Its often difficult for us to appreciate the deep, emotional connection other nations have for their Cultural Heritage. But building and strengthening alliances with the remaining 96 of the world depends in part on demonstrating a basic understanding and respect for their culture. And that presents a challenge not for you and your work, but for all americans. One thing that americans do value us protecting the lives of our troops. And that makes protecting the cultural of the countries where they are deployed a moral imperative. The simple truth is this the responsibility of a military force to protect a cultural in the territories in which it operates is absolute. Owning that narrative on good deeds and action. Failing to do so breeds contempt and anger that will cost lives. Once the Monuments Men boots on the ground. They had to confront the dangers of their mission, which led to. The second question is worth a life. The deaths of Monuments Men. British captain Ronald Balfour and american captain walter hutch townsend would seem to answer that question with a resounding yes. There were also many close calls. Stewart leonard was the director of a small museum in key west, florida. But before a bomb disposal expert ever the philosopher leonard later told bernie, a fellow monuments man, that there was one good thing about being in the bomb disposal unit. Tapper took the bait and asked what could ever compensate for the dangers of that job . Leonard smiled, said, well, you never have a superior officer looking over your shoulder. And in fact, none were looking over his shoulder as. He dismantled bombs that german sappers had placed around one of the wonders of the world charter, a cathedral in france. Now, monuments captain dean keller, a 43 year old professor of art at yale university, and an artist, left his wife, three year old son, to risk his life to save countless monuments and works of art in italy. But he had a decided, oddly different view. He told his wife a letter the life of one american boy is worth more to me than any monument. I know. Like the other Monuments Men, keller risk his life not to beautiful objects, but to defend a cause. The same cause that monuments man george stout wrote about in 1940 to preservation of our shared Cultural Heritage. What can you learn . What can we all learn from the experiences of the World War Two Monuments Men and women that will you complete your mission and help our nation reestablish the high bar for the protection of the worlds shared cultural . First and foremost, leadership is vital. The monuments, fine arts and Archives Program of World War Two worked because despite the many flaws, leadership from president roosevelt to army chief of staff, marshal to general, eisenhower was alive in its endorsement and support of the mission. Backing them up were the best and brightest minds in the arts at museums archives, libraries in the United States. The united kingdom. But the critical component, the x factor, where the men women who volunteered to go into harms way and apply their professional expertise and training to save much of the worlds Cultural Heritage men like fred hart, an art historian whose defense of damage urged but repairable buildings, and florence spared countless medieval and Historic Structures from. The devouring bulldozers of, Army Engineers and women such as unsung hero delia hall, an employee of the department who spent more years than any other monuments officer. Continuing to locate and return works of art to their rightful owners. At a time when so many people just wanted the topic to fade away. Second to no two, conflicts are the same. Learn from the past, but be flexible in your planning for the future. Your predecessors spent years of their lives working throughout europe and then parts of asia. Your challenges may stretch from the plains of Eastern Europe to the parts deserts of the middle east and the literals of the pacific. The most time consuming part of mission centered on locating and returning more than 4 million stolen cultural objects. Your challenges may be focused less on theft and more on deliberate destruction. The one certitude then as now is this the world is never going to have a shortage of bad guys. The determined to erase the culture of. Others. Be vigilant. Third, you are not just cultural preservation officers. You are frontline ambassadors. There will be many things you cannot control. But must be resolute and to commanders the importance of protecting Cultural Treasures. Wherever our fighting forces trust your training. But trust your instincts do your job right. And in all likelihood, few people will notice. Even fewer will say, job well done. And thats okay. Do it poorly. Youll be reading about it on the lead story. Online and print media around the world. In some i think your is more difficult than the Monuments Men and women of World War Two. The threats to our shared Cultural Heritage were centered on theft by the nazis and destruction of war. Today Armed Conflict but one threat. Add to that government budget shortages for the arts missed management and incompetency where shortcuts and deferred maintenance lead to selfinflicted loss. Climate change and the consequent natural. And this one which i think is moving on the list by the day. Poor or ineffective communication by our leaders in a social media world driven by explanations, Unrealistic Expectations and Immediate Gratification that undercut sacrifice and effort of all those who have dedicated themselves to create this force. The protection of Cultural Property. Not a republican versus democrat issue. During World War Two. Nor should become one today. It was then and remains a leadership issue. President roosevelt was unfailing clear that the United States would take the lead in respecting the Cultural Property of others. Our leaders today not lower that standard threats to target cultural sites in a hostile nation are sound bites that may damage as great or greater than the destruction of the objects themselves. It feeds a bad guy narrative that Americans Care about the culture of others. It undermines your mission and stains the legacy of the monuments. Men and women of World War Two. Remember the wisdom of monuments woman to stand. And who in 1947, more than years before. The invention of social media. Prof gormley stated, its not enough that we be virtuous. We must also appear the relentless criticism of the United States in the aftermath of the looting of the iraq National Museum in, baghdad, in 2003, convinced me that popularizing the story of what your predecessors did during World War Two and sharing it with the world was an essential step to reconstituting the monuments officer program. My work led to invitations to go on base to fort mccoy in fort meade to speak with Civil Affairs officers preparing, deploy and then members, congress and eventually to the white house and president obama for a screening of the Monuments Men film for officials from various lead government agencies. But there were many other powerful advocates who should be recognized for their steadfast commitment to the amite program, including jackson, dr. Lori rush, john russell constance lowenthal, a command sergeant. Al rocha, and of course, colonel scott, the jesse and our interim in between monuments woman between, World War Two and our 21st century graduates here. Wagner, whose passion and relentless determination to see materialize cant go over stated. While im the one standing here addressing you know that they and many other names of people i not mentioned also deserve credit. In closing generalizing, howard once said about the work of the monuments and women and the role of the United States army in protecting treasures that it our privilege to on to the coming centuries treasures of ages past. As a military officer, one might have expected eisenhower use the word duty, but privilege conveyed the measure of pride. He felt, knowing that history would judge his decisions and the pomp performance of the armies under his command. Next year, remarkable legacy will be shared the world. When an idea nurtured since 2009 becomes a reality. The national World War Two museum Monuments Men women gallery. The First Permanent exhibit to tell these heroes story. The origins of your story. And now my friends we at the most important moment in a relay race. 16 years ago lane faison the legacy of the Monuments Men women of World War Two firmly into my hands. Today i pass responsibility for that portion of their legacy on to you. Godspeed and good luck. Thank very much, robert, for those really moving a keynote address and now id like to call up scott the jesse colonel scott jesse for the oath of service. Thank you richard. Several of the members of the. 2022 Army Monuments training cohort were recently appointed to. The u. S. Army reserves. For the specific person purpose of protecting Cultural Heritage in Armed Conflict. At this point, im going to invite those newly appointed 38 gulf six victors heritage and preservation officers to come up on stage and receive their oath. 38 golf, six victors, heritage and preservation. Newly appointed post. 11. Raise your right hands. I state your name. I having appointed an officer in the United States Army Reserves of the United States of america appointed states. In the grade of captain captain. I do solemnly. That i will support and defend the constitution of United States, the law of the land of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and all enemies or that i will bear true faith. And through faith and allegiance to the same duties, to say that i will take this obligation freely. Obligation freely. Without any mental or purpose of. And motivation. And that i will. Well, faithfully. Faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which. Im about to enter. Charged with duty. So help me, god. Well. 38 golf six. Victor herridge and preservation officers return to your seats. 11. Why. Kiefer might. Ladies and gentlemen, well now present the certificates to the 2022 imo graduating class. Class. Please line up and prepare receive your certificates. Captain william bear. Staff Sergeant Nathan bettcher. Captain sonia dixon dixon. Captain timothy fagg. Major william fitzsimmons. Special seats. Nathan bettcher. Im sorry. Specialist nicholson hamilton. Pardon me. Sergeant first class david harker road. Colonel yusuf hyder. Captain anna kaiser. Captain timothy le bear. Staff sergeant hector. No. Captain ankie petersen. Werent. Officer pierre alto peretti. Major benjamin roberts. Captain william welsh. Captain hayden bassett. Captain christopher king. Captain andrew class. Captain tyler. Captain blake ruane. And. Last but not least. Captain jessica wagner. The ceremonial party can take their seats. I just have a few brief closing remarks. Im corey wagner of the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative and colonel de jessie and i have so colleagues and partners to thank that youll thanks and acknowledgments on the last page of the program. So please have a read of that. But really quickly. Id like to especially thank and recognize my partner, colonel scott, to jessie, who started this journey me many years ago. And i want to thank also of our colleagues at u. S. Kapok who have supported they. My training pushed orders and getting people quickly their units and all during you know the the whole thing of covid. So thanks you sir kapok. I also want to give special thanks to the smithsonian cultural rescue staff whove supported this dream and vision for such a long time, such a long time. And other smithsonian who supported the training and. All the instructors who supported our training and worked so hard to realize important program. I want to thank my boss, dr. Richard, for believing in the need for aamodt and for supporting us 100 all the way. And finally my heartfelt thanks to my retired major paul wagner, whos supported my dream for this course, and continued to support everything as a scrive volunteer and chief logistics training officer. And so last but not, ladies and gentlemen, may i present 2022 inaugural class of the Army Monuments officers. So i am going to. So this is a panel where we going to spend some time each of our is going to spend about five or 10 minutes introducing a particular president ial transition and highlight a few of the big takeaway re
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