What is it?

 

The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center’s mission is to collect and preserve personal accounts of American war veterans and make them accessible to future generations; allowing them to learn from the veterans who have fought for us and to better understand the realities of war.

 

Who can participate?

The Project collects first-hand accounts of U.S. Veterans from the following wars:

 

·      World War I (1914-1920)

·      World War II (1939-1946)

·      Korean War (1950-1955)

·      Vietnam War (1961-1975)

·      Persian Gulf War (1990-1995)

·      Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts (2001-present)

 

U.S. citizen civilians who were actively involved in supporting war efforts (such as war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, etc.) can also share their valuable stories.

 

How did the Veterans History Project start?

 

The United States Congress created the Veterans History Project in 2000. The project was sponsored by: 

 

·      Ron Kind, Amo Houghton and Steny Hoyer in the U.S. House of Representatives

·      Senators Max Cleland and Chuck Hagel in the U.S. Senate. 

·      They also received unanimous support

 

President William Jefferson Clinton signed the project into law on October 27, 2000.

 

How you can be a part of this important project?

 

Volunteer to conduct interviews and collect historical documents. You may also organize interview groups and teach others how to conduct interviews. Educational institutions, retirement communities, veteran’s service organizations, churches, and other community groups are a few good places to start.

 

What kinds of items are included in the Veterans History Project Collection?

 

Collections may take the form of war veterans’ first-hand oral histories, memoirs, collections of photographs and letters, diaries, and other historical documents from World War I through current conflicts.

 

You can even share a story of a deceased veteran

 

On behalf of a deceased war veteran, you may submit historical documents like the veteran’s collection of photographs, letters, diaries and memoirs. You will need to complete the biographical data form and a release form for the deceased veteran.

 

 

How to Participate in the Project

 

Sharing your stories with others can help you heal old wounds and allow others to connect and relate in ways they may not have been able to otherwise. It gives the rest of the world a chance to understand and appreciate what our military is all about and it will help them appreciate all the sacrifices and heroic acts that soldiers just like you perform each day to keep us safe from evil.  Help make history by sharing your history with the world.

 

Here’s how:

 

 

1.   Visit www.loc.gov/vets and download a Field Kit, which gives you guidelines for conducting interviews. You can also call the toll-free message line at 888-371-5848 to request a Field Kit.

 

2.   Go online to their Web site to register the collection you wish to submit.

 

3.   Record a veteran’s story using an audio or video recorder; assist in collecting photographs, letters, diaries, maps, etc.; and/or help write a memoir.

 

4.   Complete the required forms (including biographical data, audio and video log, and release forms) at their Web site at www.loc.gov/vets or from a Field Kit that you have sent to your home. Assemble the forms and the items you are submitting.

 

5.   They accept only original materials. Tip: Make sure to make copies of all materials you wish to keep for yourself. They ask that you provide the veteran with a copy of the interview. Everything you submit to them will become property of the Library of Congress.  It cannot be returned to you. So do not forget to make copies.

 

To get started or to find out more go to their Web site at www.loc.gov/vets.

“Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities because it is the quality that guarantees all others.” Sir Winston Churchill

 

   Share your courage with the world!