Irv Oslin — War Stories: Confessions of a Hillbilly Pacifist

Sunday Service — 10:30 a.m.

Leader — Josh Ghiloni

Speaker — Irv Oslin

Title — War Stories: Confessions of a Hillbilly Pacifist

Topic — So many ironies have revealed themselves to me through research. Things about the events, the rise and fall of Allenwood Federal Prison Camp. The most shocking of which was that it was established as one of six concentration camps for “subversives” – as defined by government officials during the McCarthy Era. I’ll likely focus more on that evolution and implications … with reflections of the actual prison experience. Timely in a weird sort of way with the resurgence of dissent and mass protests.

Bio — Irv Oslin grew up in inner city Cleveland hearing war stories … on front porches, at dinner tables and on TV. Which included lots of programs about war — things like “Combat!”, “The Gallant Men,” and the evening news. Like most working-class kids, Irv grew up with a strong sense of patriotism, assuming that he’d someday have war stories of his own to tell. He would, indeed. Except his war stories are about life inside Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary and Allenwood Prison Camp … where he served time in the early ’70s as a conscientious objector.

Join us downstairs after service for coffee and conversation.

Masks are optional in the building, and we fully support individuals’ choices regarding their use.