I would call them and let them know you have moved, chances are you will not have to attend. I had to call for my spouse. In my county they were very understanding and flexible.
Perhaps you can make your excuse a bit better and say you do not even live close and it would be impossible for you to get there. (Ps, I do not typically like to promote small white lies, but perhaps it will help your case! }.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.