travels with history: An Introduction

Travels with History was born of a lifelong passion. I have had an interest in the study of history since I mastered the alphabet and moved on to a higher level of learning. My passion narrowed to World War II history once I was presented a basic overview of the war in my middle and high school days. My interest further expanded through countless viewings of Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers and the consumption of endless hours of war documentaries. Finally, my passion for the subject reached new heights when I discovered a masters program in World War II studies through the University of Arizona. In partnership with the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, LA, the program became the first and only WWII masters program in the country.

After completing my degree with Arizona State in December 2024 I was met with a combination of pride for what I had accomplished (completing a master’s degree as a full-time stay at home mom of two small children) as well as a feeling of sadness. I had completed the highest level of formal education solely devoted to my preferred field of study, had seen practically every movie and documentary on the subject and sat beside a bookshelf laden with volumes of WWII stories and research. I found myself burdened with one of life’s greatest quandaries…what now?

That’s how Travels With History came to be. This project was born from a desire to continue my own WWII education, this time through a more hands on approach, as well as to pass my years of study onto others. Travels With History is a passion project with a very specific goal in mind: make the study of WWII more accessible to everyone. I have always felt a certain stigma associated with the study of history. It’s boring. Those events don’t affect me. I prefer to live in the present. These are just a handful of the responses most often heard when broaching a historical topic, and World War II is no different. However, I would argue that the bulk of these preconceived notions couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, the foundation of the study of WWII revolves around memorizing dates, battles, generals and countless other details surrounding the who, what, where, why and how of the war. But beneath these facts and figures lies the heart of what drew me to the study of the war in the first place, the people. It was the people who fought and died, the soldiers and civilians, the heroes and villains who not only experienced the war firsthand, but also played a critical role in shaping the world we know today. It is these stories I most long to tell, and I believe the best way to preserve the legacy of those who lived through the war is to visit the places where they suffered, wept, fought and displayed unending courage.

From Dachau Concentration Camp to the beaches of Normandy to the atomic city of Oak Ridge, TN, these destinations and many like them continue to preserve the legacy of the generation who lived through the greatest event the world has ever known. It is my hope that through traveling the world to experience the places most associated with the war, both the well-known and obscure, I can encourage you to do the same. While the study of history in a classroom may be the farthest thing from compelling to many, I can guarantee a different appreciation for the war when visiting the sites at which it unfolded. It is nearly impossible to not experience a desire to learn more as you stroll down Omaha Beach in the shadow of a vast American cemetery and reflect upon those who gave their lives to ensure a legacy of lasting freedom.

Join me as we embark on Travels With History. Let me be your guide for all things WWII and travel and let me know where I should journey next!