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9 Responses to “Veterans History Project Responds”

1. lentigogirl Says:
   September 20th, 2007 at 10:17 am

   There’s a reason why we call them war stories — I think of Huck Finn, and his description of Tom Sawyer as “mostly true, except for the whoppers.” The memories of my uncles telling stories of their time in the Pacific during World War II are precious to me — and I’m glad one uncle lived long enough for him to strip off his shirt and show my sons the scars from swimming through burning oil. They didn’t live to contribute to the VHP, and neither did my dad or my father in law. I can honor our vets, and the fundamental truth behind their stories, without needing to believe every word as gospel. Thank you to the Library for creating the Veterans History Project and giving them a voice.

2. elizabeth a airhart Says:
   September 20th, 2007 at 1:05 pm

   my father and his brother
   served in wwi i wish they
   could have told thier strories
   and my brother and cousins
   wwi11.
   think of the stories of
   my long ago family of airharts
   from the early foundingof this
   country and the wars of 1700
   and i812 and onward would
   have to say these wonderful
   old veterns thank you for your
   project

3. Larry Cebula Says:
   September 21st, 2007 at 10:51 am

   Speaking of correcting the historical record, here is the first paragraph of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn:

   “YOU don’t know about me without you have read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; but that ain’t no matter. That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly. There was things which he stretched, but mainly he told the truth. That is nothing. I never seen anybody but lied one time or another, without it was Aunt Polly, or the widow, or maybe Mary. Aunt Polly — Tom’s Aunt Polly, she is — and Mary, and the Widow Douglas is all told about in that book, which is mostly a true book, with some stretchers, as I said before.”

4. lentigogirl Says:
   September 22nd, 2007 at 10:32 am

   Thanks, Larry! I’m not sure that your post doesn’t make my precise point — that a story can be true in spirit yet historically inaccurate.

5. Family Oral History Using Digital Tools Says:
   September 22nd, 2007 at 7:25 pm

   Veterans History Project Medal Controversy: Fraud or Clerical Error?

   This week, MSNBC reported that the Veterans History Project (VHP) took down listings of veterans whose reports receiving the Medal of Honor were false. And here's the tricky bit. Were those listings fraud? Exaggeration? Error? Doug Sterner, who op…

6. bia Says:
   September 23rd, 2007 at 7:14 am

   Laryy, you are so right, after all the veterans are always forgotten

7. qbr Says:
   September 23rd, 2007 at 4:15 pm

   i agree whit lentigogirl

8. Dennis Blackmore Says:
   March 9th, 2008 at 9:37 am

   I am writing a serious of articles on my father’s life during the invasion at Normandy. I am fortunate enough to have a diary from the 32nd infantry that depicts the day to day struggles.

   It is hard to believe that I am learning so much about WW2 now. I will ensure my children cherish it.

9. betts4 Says:
   May 30th, 2008 at 2:55 pm

   I have gone to many of my father’s Army reunions. He served in WW2 and I will listen to the stories told around the tables by the men that served for our country. It makes me proud to hear the stories. Huck finn or not. They are greatness.

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