Congressman: Save soldiers’ stories for ‘posterity’

In 2000, Congress started the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center to preserve the personal accounts of American war veterans, so that future generations could hear directly from those who experienced combat.

Such first-person accounts were seen as a way to help others learn about the realities of war, and it was seen as vital to make the stories available to the public.

This week, U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, the Napa Democrat who represents Benicia in the House, said he is encouraging local schools as well as veterans themselves to participate in the project.

“This project provides an excellent opportunity for young people to hear firsthand what serving our nation during times of war means,” said Thompson, himself a veteran of the Vietnam war. “By recording the stories of our veterans for posterity, generations of family and community members will be able to hear directly from those who served our country so they could grow up free.”

Participants in the program make individual audio and video recorded interviews, provide original photographs, letters and other historical documents, he said. Veterans from every war and conflict since World War I have been asked to contribute, he said.

American citizens also active in supporting war efforts, such as through contributions to the war industry as workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers and other service also may share their stories, he said.

More than 95,000 oral histories have been collected through the Veterans History Project, Thompson said, and participants have come from every state and congressional district.

He said students can help by interviewing local veterans and making video recordings of those conversations.

Veterans, veterans organizations and schools also can participate, he said. Recordings will be submitted to the Library of Congress, where they will be archived.

“There are no deadlines for participation,” Thompson said.

Those interested may contact Thompson’s office at 707-645-1888 or email him at vetshistory.thompson@mail.house.gov.

They also may visit the website www.loc.gov/vets/ to read about the project.

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