Dear Publisher or editor:
Ernie Pyle
April 18 marks the 70th anniversary of the death of famous World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle by a machine-gunner on Ie Shima in the Pacific Ocean. To mark this occasion, the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum in Dana, Indiana, and Scripps Howard Foundation offer this reprint of the last column written by Ernie Pyle. The uncompleted work was found in the shirt pocket on his body on that date in 1945. Ironically the subject matter was the anticipated end of hostilities in Europe, or V-E Day, which actually occurred on May 8, 1945.
We think it is an appropriate time for us to recall the sacrifices made by those serving and who had served in our Armed Forces. It’s a reminder to all of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many Americans to maintain the freedoms we enjoy.
If you decide to use the materials provided for your recognition of either the 70th anniversary of Ernie Pyle’s death or V-E Day, we ask that you consider adding a paragraph about the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum. Donations may be made through the museum website at www.erniepyle.org.
Included in this post are a copy of his last column, a short bio of Pyle, headshots, and mention of the Museum that you could use.
If you want to expose your readers to additional columns by Ernie Pyle, you could include the following link to the Indiana University School of Journalism, where your readers can access additional stories written by him: http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/erniepyle/
If you have any questions about this 70th anniversary commemoration or about the Friends of Ernie Pyle or the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum, feel free to contact me at skey@hspa.com.
I also ask that you consider making a donation to the museum, either personally or as the newspaper. It only seems proper that efforts to preserve the legacy of the most famous World War II correspondent be supported by current journalists.
Click here to download the column and photos (.zip file of all materials).
Thanks for considering this tribute to veterans and Ernie Pyle.
Stephen Key
Executive Director and General Counsel
Hoosier State Press Association
and Member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Ernie Pyle
Downloads:
Column – On Victory in Europe By Ernie Pyle
Extra – Info for column offering & Bio
Photos –
