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State archives holds workshop on World War I, Alvin C. York

tennessee.gov/tsla/exhibits

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee State Library and Archives is holding a free workshop about World War I and the 60,000 Tennesseans who served in The Great War.

The session will focus on Tennessee war hero Alvin C. York who earned the Medal of Valor and numerous other commendations. Tennessee Tech University history professor Michael Birdwell will lead the workshop.

Birdwell says much of what people think they know about York is probably wrong, including the fact that he captured all those German soldiers single-handedly.

“On October 8, 1918, he and 17 soldiers tried to move an advance forward that had stalled the day before. Nine guys get killed in the melee. He and seven other soldiers were able to capture 132 German prisoner.”

Birdwell says most people are also unaware that York struggled with whether to fight at all, having just joined a pacifist church.

“If he chose not to fight he could have been facing prison. He struggles with his conscience, has a great deal of input from his company commander and his higher up officers and they convince him that there are just wars and that there are things worth fighting for.”

Professor Birdwell notes that, nearly a century later, York continues to attract visitors to the Volunteer State.

“At the York site in Pall Mall it’s amazing how many people go out of their way to visit the site and it’s not easy to get to. People come, not only from all over the Southeast United States, but from all over the world to try to see where he lived and what his life was like.”

The World War I workshop takes place on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the State Library and Archives. Reservations are required due to limited seating. For the details, email workshop.tsla@tn.gov or call 615-741-2764.