In just the short time since its
creation, the Veterans History Project is amassing a remarkable
collection of interviews and documentary materials spanning much
of the twentieth century. Contained in these sources are compelling
accounts of wartime service from men and women, civilian and military,
representing many ranks, jobs, branches of service, and theaters
of war. Their stories--told in their own words through letters,
diaries, and oral history interviews--teach us, amuse us, and
inspire us. They also sometimes sadden us, with tales of lost
lives, lost time, and lost innocence, all in service to our country.
Some of the audio- and video-taped
interviews donated to the project were recorded by professional
folklorists, but most were conducted by family members, friends,
neighbors, students, and other volunteers whose enthusiasm and respect
for their subjects outweigh the technical shortcomings that occasionally
surface in the recordings. The interviews have taken place in private
homes, retirement communities, VFW halls, schools, and libraries.
They touch on all aspects of America's war experiences at home and
abroad--from the routine to the extraordinary, from enlistment to
discharge. Several clips from the collection are included below
as an introduction to the riches that will follow as the Veterans
History Project grows and as our resources allow for the collection's
selective digitization.
|
See
and hear stories of wartime service
featured in
"Experiencing
War"
Search the Veterans History Project Database
Browse
WWII Collections Online from the Database
View
webcasts & photos from VHP's Pavilion at the National WWII
Reunion
View
webcasts & photos from VHP's War's
End Symposium.
|