War Stories

inplanotx · 03-08-2003, 11:27 AM

Winter11
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(5/13/02 9:03:26 am)
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War Stories
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My mother read the following in a Reader’s Digest and passed it along to me with the thought that all of you might be interested in it. I re-typed it so that you could all read it and decide for yourselves. I think it’s a wonderful idea and honestly, a necessary one, both for the veteran as well as future generations.

The 400 Phone Messages said it all. Veterans wanted to talk, and Jeff Beers, a military history buff and the son of a retired Navy man, was ready to listen. Beers had volunteered for the Veterans History Project, a program at the Library of Congress dedicated to preserving the oral histories of America’s 19 million veterans. Local newspapers listed Beer’s number, and the response was tremendous. He’s videotaped 52 vets and counting.

“Most of them are shocked that anyone would be interested in their small story,” says Beers, 33, an assistant engineer for the city of Poway, Calif. “They ask, ‘Why now?’ But it has to be now, before it’s too late.”

Beers and the other volunteers are collecting the I-was-there details. One of the most moving came from a World War II POW: “He had to march 500 miles through the Black Forest in winter. They ate bark soup and slept at local farms.”

The WWII generation comprises most of the 700 histories gathered since the program began in 2001. But, says director Ellen Lovell, they want to hear from vets of every war. “I interviewed my brother-in-law, an Army surgeon in Vietnam,” she says. “He said he shared things with me that he’s never told anyone.”

Want to help? Call 888-371-5848 or visit http://www.loc.gov/folklife/vets.

Always Faithful

ruffitt
*VMBB Staff*
Posts: 74
(5/13/02 9:20:19 am)
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Re: War Stories
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Thanks Winter.

Appears he is embarking on a worthwhile endeaver to relate history in the First Person account.

This project should be brought to the attention of every Vet who ever donned a Uniform.

Regards
RuffItt

Tac401
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Posts: 2007
(5/13/02 11:30:34 am)
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Re: War Stories
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Thumbs Up!
TFF VMBB Email Tac

TallTLynn
*VMBB Staff*
Posts: 244
(5/14/02 9:46:19 pm)
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Re: War Stories
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Ah the Veterans History Project is a very worthwhile endeavor.

Anybody can get involved and start talking to veterans, using different media to do so. And not just WWII, but Korean, Vietnam, Desert Storm and even civilians and spouses who were alive during the time and remember it all from their perspective.

It's history that is slowly being lost daily and it'll take each and every one of us to save as much of it as we can.

There's a web site where you can download all the materials you need to get you going on the project - then just find someone to talk to.

Most VA hospitals - have a program up and running (call the local VA and talk to the Volunteer coordinator to see if they can help).

berto64
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Posts: 413
(5/15/02 11:05:22 am)
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Re: War Stories
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In the Boise area, that would be our own Miss Tlynn, or her boss.

berto

Endeaver to Persevere

03-08-2003, 11:27 AM	#1
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	War Stories Winter11 V.I.P. Member Posts: 789 (5/13/02 9:03:26 am) Reply War Stories -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My mother read the following in a Reader’s Digest and passed it along to me with the thought that all of you might be interested in it. I re-typed it so that you could all read it and decide for yourselves. I think it’s a wonderful idea and honestly, a necessary one, both for the veteran as well as future generations. The 400 Phone Messages said it all. Veterans wanted to talk, and Jeff Beers, a military history buff and the son of a retired Navy man, was ready to listen. Beers had volunteered for the Veterans History Project, a program at the Library of Congress dedicated to preserving the oral histories of America’s 19 million veterans. Local newspapers listed Beer’s number, and the response was tremendous. He’s videotaped 52 vets and counting. “Most of them are shocked that anyone would be interested in their small story,” says Beers, 33, an assistant engineer for the city of Poway, Calif. “They ask, ‘Why now?’ But it has to be now, before it’s too late.” Beers and the other volunteers are collecting the I-was-there details. One of the most moving came from a World War II POW: “He had to march 500 miles through the Black Forest in winter. They ate bark soup and slept at local farms.” The WWII generation comprises most of the 700 histories gathered since the program began in 2001. But, says director Ellen Lovell, they want to hear from vets of every war. “I interviewed my brother-in-law, an Army surgeon in Vietnam,” she says. “He said he shared things with me that he’s never told anyone.” Want to help? Call 888-371-5848 or visit http://www.loc.gov/folklife/vets. Always Faithful ruffitt VMBB Staff Posts: 74 (5/13/02 9:20:19 am) Reply Re: War Stories -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks Winter. Appears he is embarking on a worthwhile endeaver to relate history in the First Person account. This project should be brought to the attention of every Vet who ever donned a Uniform. Regards RuffItt Tac401 Administrator Posts: 2007 (5/13/02 11:30:34 am) Reply Re: War Stories -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thumbs Up! TFF VMBB Email Tac TallTLynn VMBB Staff Posts: 244 (5/14/02 9:46:19 pm) Reply Re: War Stories -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ah the Veterans History Project is a very worthwhile endeavor. Anybody can get involved and start talking to veterans, using different media to do so. And not just WWII, but Korean, Vietnam, Desert Storm and even civilians and spouses who were alive during the time and remember it all from their perspective. It's history that is slowly being lost daily and it'll take each and every one of us to save as much of it as we can. There's a web site where you can download all the materials you need to get you going on the project - then just find someone to talk to. Most VA hospitals - have a program up and running (call the local VA and talk to the Volunteer coordinator to see if they can help). berto64 VMBB Staff Posts: 413 (5/15/02 11:05:22 am) Reply Re: War Stories -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the Boise area, that would be our own Miss Tlynn, or her boss. berto Endeaver to Persevere -->