Commemorate The Centennial of The End Of World War I with a Special Film by Ed Nef AB '55
Wednesday, May 23 from 6:30-8:30 pm. We will enjoy a specially prepared French dinner and welcome officials from the World War I Commission.
Before Memorial Day, join us for a special viewing of Ed Nef's latest film entitled "WWI: An American Martyr". Working with him on it has been his good friend, Harvard College '55 classmate and fellow former Foreign Service Officer, Doug Hartley. The film is about his uncle, Charles Hartley, who as a young man did whatever he could to join the fighting forces (US troops were not yet engaged). He succeeded by joining the British Coldstream Guards, who trained him and sent him to Belgium and France. It was in La Fontaine, Cambrai, France that his journey ended, when he was shot in the head and killed. After the war, his father returned to the site of his death and constructed a memorial in his honor, with the support of the local French community. One hundred years later, on November 25, 2017, the local community organized special commemorative ceremonies about the battle of Cambrai, and included were special ceremonies memorializing Charles Hartley's death. Chris Isleib, Director of Public Affairs for the World War I Centennial Commission will speak to the Harvard Club and introduce the program.
"WWI: An American Martyr" (trailer)
https://vimeo.com/260307677/c76106e5b2
We will also view a very short film entitled "Little Drummer Girl"; this brief cut was part of the overall ceremonies observed in Cambrai - La Fontaine. Lots of people have enjoyed this 4 minute performance by the Somme Battlefield Pipe Band. It was created over 25 years ago in remembrance of the soldiers, particularly the Scotsmen and pipers, who fought and died in the Somme. Every year they take part in acts of remembrance and ceremonies at various memorials in the Somme. It also has a special place for Americans killed there in WWI.
Ed Nef AB '55
After Harvard College and military service, Ed entered the US Foreign Service, serving in Washington DC, Senegal, Guatemala, Colombia, Canada and the Peace Corps. This was followed by service in the US Senate. He left the government to found language schools in the US, Japan, Mongolia and Vietnam and then founded Santis Productions, L.L.C. to produce documentary films. In 2014, he started The Ed Nef Foundation, a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization to help the less fortunate and to encourage the blossoming of new initiatives. Ed worked as Producer and Co-Director of the latest documentary entitled “WWI: An American Martyr”.
He married the former Elizabeth Johansen in 1959. They have three daughters and four grandchildren.
Doug Hartley '55
Doug Hartley was born in England of US parents, attended schools in the US and in England and graduated from Harvard in the Class of '55. He entered the State Department Foreign Service and served 25 years overseas in Europe and Brazil. After retirement he continued on assignment for the State Department and the OSCE in Haiti, Kosovo, Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia. More recently, Doug has been working with Ed Nef a Harvard Classmate, making documentary films. Doug worked as Co-Director, Music Director and Narrator of the latest documentary entitled “WWI: An American Martyr”; the hero happens to be Doug’s uncle.
Doug lives in midcoast Maine. He is a father of 5, grandfather of 10, and great-grandfather of 1.
MENU
Salade Lyonnaise
Coq au Vin
Classic Sole Meuniere
Braised French lentils & Vegetables
Aligot
Crème Brûlee and Sliced Fruit
Registration
Harvard Club members and their guests: $45/person
Harvard veterans and their guests: $45/person
Hartley family members: $45/person
Non-members: $65/person