The FReeper Foxhole -

Dec. 6, 2002

[Jen]

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

Our Mission:

The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

We hope to provide an ongoing source of information about issues and problems that are specific to Veterans and resources that are available to Veterans and their families.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.

Veterans History Project
Keeps War Memories Alive

There are over 19 million veterans living in the U.S. today. With each is a personal story of battles fought, victories and defeats. Each story, though sometimes heartbreaking, is full of love, dedication and patriotism.

---

War correspondent May Craig
interviews a soldier, ca. 1945.

---

That's how Peter Bartis describes his work with the Veterans History Project. The grassroots effort that began two years ago -- and has now caught fire -- is hoping to keep those memories alive.

Bartis, a senior program officer for the project, said that each day some 1,500 U.S. veterans die -- and with them a treasured part of the nation's past. "These are some of the most amazing stories; when you put them all together you get a story of the nation," he said.

Over the past year alone, the project's staff of 16 has already collected more than 14,000 items, such as letters and other memoirs, and video and audiotape interviews.

"We're all just blown away by these stories," he said. "The information has been very rich, it's been emotional, and it's very heartening to listen to the stories, to learn how and why they (veterans) joined, their war-time experience."

With the idea that future generations could learn from the histories of the nation's veterans, the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, began the effort to collect video and audio recordings of personal histories and testimonials of American war veterans -- men, women, civilians who served in World Wars I and II, and the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars. The center needs contributions of civilian volunteers, support staff, and war industry workers also.

Bartis said the amount of regular mail and the number of e-mails and phone calls vary from day to day, "but the response to this project has been enormous." "We get to know a lot of these people personally. That's the fun part," he said. Aside from the thousands of items received from everyday Americans each year, Bartis said the project has gained tremendous support from the corporate community as well.

The Veterans History Project's official Web site lists more than 50 national partners and support organizations from every state. The military services contribute through offices such as the Army's U.S. Center of Military History and the Naval and Marine Corps Historical centers, as well as DoD's official committee commemorating the 50th Korean War anniversary. Major national veterans associations are well-represented also.

"This is not our project or the library's project. This is the nation's project," Bartis said. "We want people of all walks of life to feel ownership of this project."

Learn more about the Veterans History Project.

[LasVegasMac]

Many thanks for the ping.

LBM

[MistyCA]

thanks for that insight! I get the feeling you loved being a soldier. I am just sorry that this country had to suffer the consequence of the Clintoon farce. Our military deserves to have the best we have to offer! Always! They deserve to have the same medical care that the congress gives themselves. Our military men should never go without equipment, clothing and food....the best of each! Our military wives and children should not live at poverty level. FOR CRYING OUT lOUD...HOW MUCH MONEY DID MONICA LEWINSKY MAKE? I find it very frustrating the way the people in Washington prioritize.

[SAMWolf]

I served later than you, but no one got paid if the Finance Corps didn't do it's job, there were 3 things you didn't mess with when I was a soldier, my mail, my food and my pay.(Although the food left something to be desired sometimes, LOL!)

[MistyCA]

BTW...my husband was an air policeman. He earned an Airforce Commendation Medal when his barracks was shelled in Bien Hoa and he organized the defense because his CO couldn't do it. I don't know why the CO couldn't do it...he wasn't there or freaked out or was drunk...I have no clue.

[MistyCA]

LOL! YOu are so resourceful! A shop vac for legos! Even I hadn't thought of that one!!! :) Good to see you!

[SAMWolf]

Well, I consider you a Veteran. You'll just have to live with it I guess. Unfortunately, there are bad Officiers and bad NCO's, they usually get weeded out in time but not always. I'll admit I wasn't a great NCO, I cared about my men but always got in trouble for "doing" the work rather than "supervising". If my squad had a job to do, I helped when I could, the work didn't bother me, it sure bothered the the Platoon NCO's though. Guess I just wasn't cut out to be an NCO.

[navarch]

Thank you for remembering, and thank you Stu for the link. As you noted we are passing at a rapid rate...1500 a day. It won't be long before "they" can re-write the history of our many wars and the next generations will believe we were the ones that started the wars.

ex-Combat Medic, Bill Gilcrest, Korean War '50/'52, Sgt., 160th. RCT, 40th. Div. I proudly wear the CMB

[MistyCA]

How wonderful that those histories are recorded! I think it is so important! Wow! Thank you folks for their service. You must be incredibly proud. ;0)

[SAMWolf]

Porta-Johns??? What's the Army coming too? What happened to entrenching tools and a short walk?

[MistyCA]

Whooo Hoooo! :) Awesome weapon you have there!

[MistyCA]

I absolutely agree with you. The support troops outside of the battle zone are very important. The people who use to sit for hours and roll bandages were very important. The people who train and remain ready to react in the event of something happening are very important. The people who take notes, prepare equipment, print prayer books, provide rations....they are all important. Thanks to both of you for your service.

[MistyCA]

I bet you are very proud of your grandfather. Can you scan your picture and post it for us? That would be great!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Woohoo!!! What a wondereful job, Jen. I love it.

click on the graphic

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for your service. You have every right to be proud of that CMB!

40th INFANTRY DIVISION KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Nice to see another thread on Free Republic honoring veterans!

ATTN VETERANS
You served before, will you serve again?
Use your past experience
to help those who serve now.
Become a part of current history.

FReeper makes Coast Guard /
Coast Guard Auxiliary History

In Honor of those who gave their lives and those who were gravely disabled.
Thank You Brothers and Sisters for your sacrifices.

And Thank You to ALL who have and still support our Armed Forces.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks so much for your contribution, Sam.

[Non-Sequitur]

What ever happened to Snowbunny and her threads?

[Jen]

President signs Defense Authorization Act

President Bush signed the Fiscal Year 2003 Defense Authorization Act into law on Monday.

According to reports by The Retired Officer Association (TROA) and The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA), the Act (Public Law 107-314), among other things, substantially eliminates the disability offset to retired pay for certain retirees with at least 20 years of active duty and:

(a) any disability rating (at least 10 percent) that is associated with a Purple Heart or

(b) a disability rating of 60 percent or higher that is due to a combat-related or operations-related disability.

Eligible retirees will have to apply for this new compensation.

TROA reported that because the Defense Department needs time to develop guidelines for approval as well as application forms and procedures, Congress made the effective date of the new payment 180 days after the President signs the law. He did that on Dec. 2, so the effective date of the new special compensation will be June 1, 2003.

DoD work -- to include establishing documentation requirements, approval procedures, guidelines and application forms -- is not expected to be completed before the end of April. Disabled retirees have been asked not to send inquiries to the DoD until the rules are announced.

[ex-snook]

Thanks for the ping. Right now I am listening to a tape my wife put on. It's playing 'Silent Night'. Around this time in 1944, we were landing in Marseille (sp?). We were first attached to Gen Patton's 3rd Army as he headed for Bastonne (sp?). We arrived at the then quiet front and we attended Midnight Mass on the top floor of a schoolhouse in Strassbourg.

All hell broke out on January 5 as the Nazis came across rhe Rhine and made their last attempt to win the Bulge. We were then an infantry regimental Task Force as the full Division with artillery had not yet arrived. The Nazis had white painted tanks and an experienced force that outnumbered us. We lost quite a few guys and had to retreat (for the last time).

Guys and dolls, pardon some old replay. War is hell, then, since and now. Our area today is covered with yesterday's snowstorm. Cold has always been an unwelcome reminder. Thanks again for the site and the chance to 'remember' (while I can {;-). Regards,

[GailA]

Thanks for the ping. We have several distinguished members who served our country in our family. My step dad Frank served in the 503rd The Rock Force who re-took Corregidor and hubby's uncle Ralph was part of the original unit that was Merrill's Marauders

Our Veteran's page

Dad jumped with the flag he then raised with another soldier when they re-took Corregidor Flag raising