Fourth-generation Lawrencian, Marc Laplante, will discuss the Lawrence World War I Project, during the Tuesday, Nov. 20, White Fund Lecture Series offered in partnership with Northern Essex Community College.
The event is free and open to the public. It will be held at 11 a.m. in Room 301 of the Dr. Ibrahim El-Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center, 414 Common St., Lawrence.
The project spotlights 35 of the 200 Lawrence residents who lost their lives during World War I and were given special recognition by city officials with a bridge, park, square, or building named for them. During WWI, more than 5,500 Lawrence residents either enlisted or drafted into military service.
The stories of the 35 veterans have been lost over the years. Laplante, a Lawrence city councilor, has rediscovered their stories and shares them through video, which he has written and produced.
Laplante has traveled to France to honor many of these soldiers and to learn more about the United States’ involvement in the “Great War.”
He works for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, graduated from law school in 2006 and is a non-practicing attorney. He has served on the City Council more than 13 years representing Tower Hill and South Lawrence East. He lives with his wife and three school-age children in the Colonial Heights section of Lawrence.
When he is not at work, pursuing city council duties, or involved in family activities, he is an avid beekeeper who also has four egg-laying hens.
The White Fund’s purpose is to have a free series of interactive presentations for Lawrence area adults, youth, and children. The audience is encouraged to seek wisdom, cultural enrichment, and intellectual enhancement by attending and participating.
The views expressed in the White Fund Enlightenment Series presentations are the views of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Northern Essex.
Funded by a generous financial gift from the Honorable Daniel Appleton White, the White Fund Lecture Series has provided cultural conversation featuring well-known lecturers in fields such as history, literature, travel, the arts, and politics. The White Fund is collaborating with Northern Essex on this series.
