McClure's "Shared Sacrifices" To Be Shown Nov. 2-3
October 31, 2022
In a 2019 photo, the late Dr. Marc McClure, professor of history at Walters State
Community College, interviews a French couple about the World War II in southern France.
The final project started by a beloved Walters State professor, the late Dr. Marc
McClure, will make its theatrical debut in November on the Walters State Community
College Morristown Campus.
“Shared Sacrifices” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 2 and at 11:10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
on Nov. 3. All showings are free and open to the public.
McClure, a professor of history at the college and noted historian, began work on
a documentary he titled “Sword of Freedom” in 2019. He planned to honor the unsung
heroes of the 7th Army who liberated southern France. McClure received a grant from
the Embassy of the United States of America, France, to film interviews and reenactments
overseas.
McClure’s sudden death in December 2020 put the project on what could have been a
permanent hold. His widow Jessica McClure, instructor of education, and Dr. Paul Lubotina,
associate professor of history, collaborated with Patricia Lofthouse, an Emmy and
Peabody award-winning film archivist, to finish the project. Lofthouse had previously
volunteered to work on the project with the late McClure.
“I wanted to finish what Marc started,” Jessica McClure said. “Marc kept many of his
ideas in his head, so we had to create something new from Marc’s research. We have
sorted through thousands of documents and video clips. Dr. Lubotina volunteered to
help and we focused on the understated roles of minorities, women and actual French
citizens.”
McClure traveled to France, retracing many of her husband’s steps and meeting some
of those who were part of his research.
While many people may be unfamiliar with these battles on both sides of the Rhine
River, most have heard of some of its soldiers. Seven received the nation’s highest
military honor, the Medal of Honor.
Audie Murphy, the most decorated combat soldier of the war, received the Medal of
Honor for valor shown while holding off a company of soldiers at the Colmar Pocket
in France.
Daniel Inouye, who later spent almost 40 years as a U.S. senator, destroyed two enemy
machine gun nests after being shot in the stomach. Inouye was awarded a Distinguished
Service Cross for his actions at the end of the war.
In 1992, he was awarded the Medal of Honor after a study revealed that many minorities
were given lesser awards even though actions merited the highest recognition.
“This film is very inclusive,” Lubotina said. “This documentary shows the contributions
of Chinese, Latino and Asian-American soldiers and women. The film looks at the family
and the aftermath of the war rather than just the fighting. Soldiers didn’t talk about
it, but many suffered from what we now know as post-traumatic stress disorder.”
Lubotina’s office was next door to his late colleague and both shared research into
World War II.
“For me, it was important to finish this project,” Lubotina said. “I want Marc to
be remembered.”
For Lofthouse, the film is not only personal but also professional.
“As a teacher and librarian, I knew I must make this contribution to World War II
history to honor the sacrifices of these soldiers and support personnel, including
my own family, whose roles have been overshadowed by the more well-known campaigns
of the war,” Lofthouse said.
McClure, Lubotina and Lofthouse will be at the Tuesday evening screening.
Additional screenings of the documentary are being planned, including several in France.
McClure produced two previous documentaries focused on East Tennesseans, “Valor: The
Kiffin Rockwell Story” and “An Extraordinary Man: Dr. Dennis Branch of Newport, Tennessee.”
In 2016, McClure was recognized by the East Tennessee Historical Society with the
Excellence in Research award.
In the photo: In a 2019 photo, the late Dr. Marc McClure, professor of history at
Walters State Community College, interviews a French couple about the World War II
in southern France.