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Press Release

For Immediate Release
May 23, 2008
Contact: Sean C. Bonyun
(202) 225-3761

Upton Touts Veterans History Project as Proper Tribute to Honor Those who Served this Memorial Day

Upton sat down with his father Stephen, a World War II veteran

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph), the son of a
World War II veteran, highlighted the upcoming Memorial Day holiday as
an ideal time for veterans and their families to participate in the
Veterans History Project.  The Library of Congress and its American
Folklife Center are asking all Americans to join in the creation of a
national collection by interviewing war veterans using sound or video
recording equipment, by asking them to write their memoirs, or by
collecting wartime letters, diaries, and photographs.

"There is no better way to honor and give thanks to our war veterans
than to have their personal experiences recorded as part of the
permanent historical record of our nation," said Upton.  "There are 19
million war veterans living in the United States today, but every day we
lose well over a thousand of them.  To put that into perspective, just
upwards of 55,000 veterans have recorded their experiences to date.  As
a nation we lose a valuable part of history as our veterans pass away.
This holiday weekend is a perfect opportunity for families to come
together and record the experiences of their loved ones who served in
combat.  The growing collection of stories at the Library of Congress is
a national treasure for future generations to enjoy."

Upton continued, "As we gather with friends and family during this
Memorial Day weekend, let us take a moment to reflect on the sacrifice
given by the servicemen and women of the past-the same sacrifice that
now provides us the freedom to celebrate with barbeques, parades and
festivals.  Let us also give thanks and pray for the safety of the men
and women who serve us on the front lines today, so that future
generations of Americans will enjoy the same liberties." 

Motivated by a desire to honor our nation's war veterans for their
service and to collect their stories and experiences while they are
still among us, the United States Congress created the Veterans History
Project in 2000.  The collection captures the experience of all
participants-men and women, civilian and military-who participated in
World War I, World War II, and the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf
wars. 

"I believe that this generation and future generations have much to
learn from those who served," said Upton. "If you are a veteran, you
possess a valuable resource in your war memories and military knowledge,
and I especially encourage you to participate as both an interviewer and
an interviewee.  Freedom does not come without a price. We may sometimes
take for granted the many liberties we enjoy in America, but they have
all been earned through the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many of the
members of our armed forces.  We pay our respects to the many
generations of heroes who sacrificed their tomorrows so that we may
enjoy our freedoms today."

Interviewers may be veterans comparing their experiences with fellow
veterans who fought in previous wars.  They may be students talking with
veterans and home front supporters within their local communities as
part of school projects.  Or they may be grandsons and granddaughters
coaxing grandparents to share their memories of America at war. 

Instructions and guidelines to participate in the Veterans History
Project are available at the Library of Congress' Web site,
www.loc.gov/folklife/vets, or by calling the project message line at
1-888-371-5848.  Upton's website, www.house.gov/upton, also links
directly to the Veterans History Project.

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