CAS3
11-14-03, 10:15 AM
VA, Women Legislators and DAV Support Veterans History Project
WASHINGTON (Nov. 14, 2003) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is
joining forces with the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL),
the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Library of Congress to increase
national awareness of the Veterans History Project.
"Future generations of Americans will benefit from this very important
effort to preserve the oral histories of America's wartime veterans," said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "With more than 1,100
World War II veterans dying each day, it is imperative that we act quickly
to preserve the stories and experiences of wartime veterans. There is much
to learn from those who have served."
Women elected officials from every state and territory in the nation will
serve as team leaders in NFWL's "Heart to Heart" program to record
interviews with veterans for presentation to the Library of Congress'
Veterans History Project. VA will assist NFWL in locating veterans to be
interviewed and will provide local public affairs support. DAV is
encouraging its members to interview their fellow disabled veterans or to
allow a volunteer to interview them.
Team leaders will focus on interviewing World War II veterans during the
period Nov. 1, 2003, through Feb. 24, 2004. Afterwards, they will also
interview veterans of Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf war, the war on
terrorism and all other conflicts.
"With so many World War II veterans dying each day, these elected women will
focus on collecting histories from this 'greatest generation' over the
holiday season," said NWFL President and CEO Robin Read.
"The DAV is proud to be an official partner in this important program. Our
thanks go to the veterans who share their stories and the many volunteers
across the country who record them to help preserve the legacy of America's
veterans and to ensure that their service and sacrifice will always be
remembered," said DAV National Commander Alan W. Bowers.
"Every veteran has his or her own war," said Librarian of Congress James H.
Billington, "and each is custodian of a unique story and memories. The
support of the Veterans History Project by VA, the NFWL and the DAV is most
important because it will help reach out to veterans across the nation to
ensure that this American story is told through thousands of different
voices, thousands of different pictures and thousands of different
memories."
Congress created the Veterans History Project in 2000. The American Folklife
Center at the Library of Congress is collecting and preserving audio- and
videotaped histories, along with documentary materials such as letters,
diaries, maps, photographs and home movies. They will be available on-line
for review by veterans, their families, researchers, historians and future
generations of Americans.
WASHINGTON (Nov. 14, 2003) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is
joining forces with the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL),
the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Library of Congress to increase
national awareness of the Veterans History Project.
"Future generations of Americans will benefit from this very important
effort to preserve the oral histories of America's wartime veterans," said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "With more than 1,100
World War II veterans dying each day, it is imperative that we act quickly
to preserve the stories and experiences of wartime veterans. There is much
to learn from those who have served."
Women elected officials from every state and territory in the nation will
serve as team leaders in NFWL's "Heart to Heart" program to record
interviews with veterans for presentation to the Library of Congress'
Veterans History Project. VA will assist NFWL in locating veterans to be
interviewed and will provide local public affairs support. DAV is
encouraging its members to interview their fellow disabled veterans or to
allow a volunteer to interview them.
Team leaders will focus on interviewing World War II veterans during the
period Nov. 1, 2003, through Feb. 24, 2004. Afterwards, they will also
interview veterans of Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf war, the war on
terrorism and all other conflicts.
"With so many World War II veterans dying each day, these elected women will
focus on collecting histories from this 'greatest generation' over the
holiday season," said NWFL President and CEO Robin Read.
"The DAV is proud to be an official partner in this important program. Our
thanks go to the veterans who share their stories and the many volunteers
across the country who record them to help preserve the legacy of America's
veterans and to ensure that their service and sacrifice will always be
remembered," said DAV National Commander Alan W. Bowers.
"Every veteran has his or her own war," said Librarian of Congress James H.
Billington, "and each is custodian of a unique story and memories. The
support of the Veterans History Project by VA, the NFWL and the DAV is most
important because it will help reach out to veterans across the nation to
ensure that this American story is told through thousands of different
voices, thousands of different pictures and thousands of different
memories."
Congress created the Veterans History Project in 2000. The American Folklife
Center at the Library of Congress is collecting and preserving audio- and
videotaped histories, along with documentary materials such as letters,
diaries, maps, photographs and home movies. They will be available on-line
for review by veterans, their families, researchers, historians and future
generations of Americans.