Learning in Retirement celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the USA
Date/Time
Date(s) - 06/17/2026
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Epiphany Lutheran Church
Categories
Fred Betz and Krista Chmiel will speak at the June 17 meeting of Southern Illinois Learning in Retirement celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the USA.
Fred will discuss the role of the Pledge of Allegiance in the history of immigration to America, review its textual history from 1887 to 1954, and conclude that in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance today, we are still expressing an aspiration and committing ourselves to strive to form “a more perfect Union,” as called for in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, by “We, the People of the United States.”
Frederick Betz (Ph.D., Indiana University, 1973), is Professor Emeritus of German and former Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (1999-2006). He has published widely in the areas of 19th and 20th century German and American literature and journalism.
Krista will present the history of four important songs in American History: The Star-Spangled Banner, God Bless America, America, and Illinois. Each song will be sung (hopefully by a group of young singers) at the end of the presentation.
Krista Chmiel is an alumnus of Illinois State University (2011) where she received her Bachelor of Music Education with an emphasis in vocal, choral, and general music, and a second Bachelor of Vocal Performance. She also received a Master of Music degree (2014) with an emphasis in Opera/Musical Theatre Performance, Choral Conducting, and General Music. Krista has been the Applied Voice Professor at John A. Logan College. She was the Director of the Chamber Singers, and Assistant Director and Choreographer for the spring musicals at JALC.
This 250th Anniversary Celebration, free and open to the public, will begin at 10:30 am at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Chautauqua, Carbondale. A coffee and social hour begins at 9:30 am. For more information, you may refer to the website: https://conferenceservices.siu.edu/silir or call SIU Events and Outreach at 618-536-7751.