Reilly to discuss challenges of female veterans at Auburn Public Library

AUBURN — Rob Reilly, director of programming for Camp Kieve’s Veterans Camp, will lead discussions at the Auburn Public Library’s showing of the 2014 film “Fort Bliss,” at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 11, in the Community Room, 49 Spring St.

The movie tells the story of a decorated U.S. Army medic and single mother who struggles to rebuild her relationship with her young son, after returning home from an extended tour in Afghanistan.

Since 2010, Reilly has led the Camp Kieve Veterans Camp program in Nobleboro, which offers family, Vietnam, and woman veterans-only camps for those who have experienced the stress of deployment during past and current conflicts. Reilly’s discussion will focus on the challenges female veterans face upon returning home.

The movie and discussion are free and open to the public.

This is the first of three programs examining the legacy of World War I, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the nation’s entry into the war in 1917. The programs are designed to bring together members of the veteran community, their families, and the general public to explore how war has impacted lives. Authors, historians, veteran advocates, and veterans will lead discussions and share their experiences with audience members.

Richard Rubin, author of “The Last of the Doughboys” and the soon to be released “Back Over There,” will share from his interviews conducted with WWI veterans, as the audience looks at how combat changes lives, at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 18. Veterans and their families are encouraged to share their stories of how war has impacted them personally.

Dr. Elizabeth Bischof, professor at the University of Southern Maine and project manager for Maine’s World War I Memorials digital humanities project, will talk about her work in recording and preserving images of Maine’s World War I Memorials, at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 25. The digital humanities project will result in an interactive website that documents and maps Maine’s World War I memorials.

FMI: www.auburnpubliclibrary.org, 207-333- 6640.