Scholars travel to learn about Pyle, his legacy
Coffee laced with sugary sweetness and half-eaten bagels jostled around the bus. Sleep-stained eyes glanced around, and stumbling chatter filled the air. With a full tank, the bus full of IU scholars was ready to depart.
Dana, Indiana, was the destination. Dana is a charming town, with a restaurant, a museum, a cemetery and a stop sign. The Ernie Pyle and Media scholars were trekking to the historic home and museum dedicated to WWII war correspondent Ernie Pyle.
Pyle was known for his columns detailing life in wartime. He went with the soldiers and reported on the deaths that many war correspondents would not. His war coverage from multiple continents garnered him accolades and the adoration of many people.
The goal of the trip is to educate scholars about the life of the namesake of IU’s honors journalism program.
Pyle’s house gives insight into his beginnings
By Ally Melnik
War correspondent Ernie Pyle was born in a small, white colonial house. Lace curtains cover the windows. The first word that comes to mind is “quaint.” Inside, bright wallpaper decorates the walls, and the air smells of old books. A mixture of soft, artificial light and sunlight give the room a sense of cheeriness.
It was here that Pyle’s parents, Will and Maria, sought shelter (and running water) to give birth to their son Aug. 3, 1900. The house belonged to their employer, Sam Miller, and it is located on a farm just outside of Dana. It was originally built in 1850 and today looks like it hasn’t aged.
Pyle museum details his life, work
By Madi Smalstig
Ernie Pyle’s writing connected the world to the front lines of World War II. The Ernie Pyle World War II Museum connected us to his story and those stories he chronicled.
The tour of the museum began with video highlights of Pyle’s life from birth to death. Although half the students in attendance were Ernie Pyle Scholars, many of them were unfamiliar with the person their program was named after. After the video, they were looking to learn more about the famous correspondent.
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