UN 75TH ANNIVERSARY VIRTUAL CEREMONY, OCT. 18, 2020, WFB LIBRARY

By
Annette Robertson

​Mr. Lubar challenges us to live in a world where change is an absolute and to be ready with attainable goals towards the abolition of warfare and the elimination of worldwide poverty. Mr. Lubar emphatically states, "If wars are absolutely outlawed, the elimination of poverty will follow." I have had the opportunity to be reacquainted with Mr. Lubar the past four months in anticipation and preparation of the annual Celebration at Whitefish Bay Library, Sunday, October 18, 2020, to ceremoniously celebrate 75 years, the inception date: 1943, the charter date: October 24, 1945. I met Mr. and Mrs. Lubar in 1978, I was the Administrator at the Villa Terrace Museum, under the auspices of the Milwaukee Art Museum. The Lubars were very involved with the Milwaukee Art Museum. Both visionaries were philanthropists then and have continued their vital commitment, especially in the education arena, such as Whitefish Bay High School and the UWM Lubar School of Business.

I'd like to share a few highlights from the ceremony last Sunday. The celebration opened up with the Color Guard and Flag Ceremony by members of Troop 400, then the Village President, Ms. Julie Siegel welcomed the near 70 online participants, ages 16 to 104. Model United Nations Co-Vice President, Lydia Lancina gave a stellar introduction to Mr. Lubar based upon a terrific phone interview. Then, Mr. Lubar greeted the audience then remarked, "I will start by reminding you that through all of known world history, the two ancient enemies of the human race have been poverty and tyranny, both of which have led to wars, massive deaths and starvation." Mr. Lubar had an opportunity to buy a company, he reveals, "the manufacturer of a weapon, the claymore mine, which pops up and explodes if you step on it." He told the audience, "No matter how profitable it might be, I would not allow my name to be associated with that kind of company. It blew the legs off of people. I couldn't live with myself if I were to make a profit like that!”

Each Whitefish Bay Model UN Officer shared a short autobiography and current life goals. Then there ensued a discussion between Mr. Lubar and the Officers. Co-President, Oliver Niehaus asked Mr. Lubar, "Throughout your history what has been the most impactful experience you have had?" Mr. Lubar responded, "It might be this year's election. The greatest tragedy I can recall is Donald Trump as President, destroying our democracy of the United States. He has focused everything on himself. It is crucial that we change course, and that selfishness should not be a factor, we should work on decency and extend a helping hand to others. We don't do it alone, everyone helps one another. It has been gimmie-gimmie, the younger generation must understand why a person runs for president and what he is seeking, to help others or acceptance of self. Pay attention, learn, ask questions, you cannot learn too much."

Co-President, Caroline Van Bell, asked Mr. Lubar, "What has been the most important change that you've seen in your lifetime?" Mr. Lubar responded, "I wrote a book about my own journey, I started out by saying the only permanent thing in life is change. You can change things if you work at it, you put integrity, decency, honesty at the forefront of your actions, you will get there, people will line up behind you and follow the practices you establish. Don't think that things are not achievable, everything is achievable”.
Co-Vice President, Lydia Lancina asked, "If the United Nations has the power and the means to do something, what action can it take to make our world a better place?" Mr. Lubar responded, "I really think that war should be outlawed." He spoke about the US Budget and the military, he continued, "If we had taken the money spent on war and invested it on infrastructure, it would have been better spent." He spoke about the UN Police Force and said that the country parties in disagreement should resolve their differences in the international court.
Co-Vice President, Shaan Joshi asked, "What was one experience that you had in your life that motivated you and could be influential to us, the younger generation?" Mr. Lubar responded, "It is a very needful time in the world right now. We were a shining beacon in past administrations. In the past our years we have become an outcast. Our stature has been downgraded. Be aware! It makes what you are doing very important, everyone you reach, very important. Nobody can do it alone."
Mr. Lubar shared a significant story in his life, "When the United Nations was founded the war had ended, but it took two atomic bombs dropped on Japan. I was sixteen, I was very joyful that it ended. Altogether 50 million died in WWII. If you haven't lived through that grim time, it is difficult to imagine. We have converted Japan and Germany to democracies since then. If an invasion of Japan by US Troops was necessary, our military estimated we would have taken one million casualties and the Japanese would have taken two million, hence a surrender was demanded and they agreed.

"I shall close with Mr. Lubar's advice to the WFB students," A while ago, a student asked why he had to learn things. My answer is you should learn everything you can! Be curious, ask questions, strive to expand your vocabulary, your knowledge of everything, you don't have to specialize, you can know everything. That is the end of my statement, now it is up to you!" I encourage you to have a conversation about the past, present and progress of the UN's 75 years, adopt Mr. Lubar's steadfast principle is that the only permanent thing in life is change.
Finally, lend a helping hand to others and support the attainable sustainable goals and the mission of the United Nations! Happy 75th Anniversary to the United Nations, Eleanor Roosevelt would be extremely proud of the triumph of its principles, still needed more than ever!