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.

[SAMWolf]

I thank your father for his service and please accept my condolances.

[sarasmom]

Former USAF 20170.

Best 8 years of my life,well except for the last 1, when I asked my CO "do you want me to work the rest of the day, or not?".A senior NCOIC of the base MP squadron had major heartburn about my dependent husband's long hair.It made no difference to him that said husband was a vet, and a Civil Service employee.It just really chaffed him that we lived next door in essential personnel housing above what my rank would normally command.Long ugly story of abuse of authority, but I did manage to "retire" him and the base commander, who supported his outragious activities, on my way out.;^)

I would have done my 20, but I was burned out by fighting abusive ROAD jerks,in addition to being NCOIC of a squadron manned at 25% level.

Funniest story:Prior to celebrating my wedding anniversity,I made every concievable arrangement to be taken off the emergency duty roster, as I fully intended on being "unfit" for duty for 36 hours.NOGO.

I was paged at the NCO club.Picture this scenario:I am dressed in a cocktail gown, fully made up in an off-duty little black dress,3" spike heels,perfumed, special occasion make-up, no relation to 35/10, and have consumed 4 White Russians.

An incident has occurred requiring one of my specialty to report to a SAC B52 alert Command Center.My OIC was MIA, and I am ordered to report to duty.If I respond either way, I am subject to dereliction of duty charges, and a quick trip to Leavenworth.Since I knew all the applicable regs, I insisted that only a General Officer could authorise my entering the SAC secure command post under these circumstances,and (hehehe) only the Base Commander (the one being retired because he abused his authority), could escort me past the security guards.(I already knew it was a "routine emergency" technical violation vs actual)

They woke up the one star,who woke up and the sent the base CO to pick me up and escort me to the place I was ordered to enter, I fiddled with my stuff for 15 minutes, and the base CO silently drove me back to the NCO club.

The staff on CP duty knew my situation, and in addition to the whistles and catcalls, I received a standing ovation.The MP at the door kept it open just long enough for the Base CO to hear it.

All of this was "peacetime" crap, and I pray our wartime servicemembers have been briefed on the definition of "fragging".

[Victoria Delsoul]

You know this is an important day when my computer gives me troubles, LOL!!!

I'm so glad to see you all here. I love the thread, Jen. Misty, and Sam you are doing a fabulous job.

Hey Souris, where are ya??? Life isn't the same without you!

Spooky, Sassy, Kneezles, 4theflag and Gooberdoll, here is a song for you.

[SAMWolf]

I knopw it's tough.

I was dealing with a best friends' death around this time last year. It's a year later and the Holiday isn't gonna be quite the same again this year.

Hang in there.

[SAMWolf]

Hard to go wrong with Brook and Dunn. Thanks.

[the rifleman]

Thanks for the ping AntiJen. I'll share a few memories with you, not about my own time in the Army but about my next door neighbor.

His name was Wilber Genz and he flew the B-17 Chief Oshkosh over Germany in WW2 for over 30+ missions. He lived next door in a little house with no basement so when ever any large storms would blow in he would come over to my place and whole up with me. We would usually sip brandy from dixi cups and talk about the storm or what ever. One time we were talking about the war and how he new my father who had been over there. He commented to me that he wanted to check his house and that he had some photos he would bring back.

Well, he returns with some old black and whites of him with his aircrew and the airplane and all. Among some of the pictures were some combat photos taken when they were on a mission. In one taken by the navigator you could see the side of Buds face as he was at the controls, out of the windscreen you could see the planes in block formation taking on flack. The B-17 directly ahead was on fire and breaking formation. It was one of the most spell binding pictures I had ever seen, couldn't stop flipping back to look at that photo. I remember thinking how how these guys must of had nerves of steel to just keep going, staying calm at the controls and finishing the mission.

I payed my respects at the old mans funeral this october after playing caretaker for his house all summer cutting grass and raking leaves. He was my neighbor for over 20yrs. I keep looking over at the old house thinking I'll see him and my kid talks about him like he is still around. Another soldier faded away but in memory. I'll be missing him.

[MistyCA]

Link to Book List for and about Vietnam Veterans

[JulieRNR21]

Thanks for the ping!

Congrats on this new thread....a great idea!

[MistyCA]

Book list about the Vietnam War

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"The Foxhole is actually a joint effort of several people including SAMWolf and MistyCA"

Maybe the 3 of you and the others might consider doing a weekly FR Vet thread.
As you know between working 5 days a week,
working at the Coast Guard Base
and "running" the Canteen I can't find time to continue the tradition started.
Look Jen! You were the very 1st FReeper Vet to be honored with their own dedicated thread.

USO Canteen FReeper Style....FReeper FRiday....May 3,2002

The threads honoring FReepers family members was always a big hit also.

[desertcry]

Thanks for the ping.

[MistyCA]

Jen....don't be so modest! Mac, the truth is that Jen is an ace web designer and without her talents this wouldn't be as beautifully done as it has been! Sam is the world's best historian and scrounger! All I did was stick the burr in their side and tell them to go for it! :) I am only here to provide some support, but no more or less than the rest of you will do! :) Thanks, Jen.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for sharing that rifleman.

Chief Oshkosh - 835th Bomb Sqd

[Preech1]

Actually she's in the Greek Navy now...go figure!

[cavtrooper21]

Maybe the ASROC was try to say something!!! And there is nothing wrong with JROTC! Wish we had that program availible when I went through HS.

[SAMWolf]

If there's enough interest and there is anyone out there that would like to have tell a little about themseleves or a family member, I'd be willing to set up a thread or post for them.

[MistyCA]

Your account is so interesting! Thanks for sharing it with us! I know that there is a lot about wartime that the vets just don't talk about. My uncle might be an exception to that. He talks all the time about his experiences lately. I think he is trying to find some peace and resolution. It's wonderful that we have this type of forum because I think being behind the screen of a computer might make talking about some of it easier for some people. At least that is our hope.

[Alberta's Child]

Good to see ya here too, Victoria.

Great music tonight!

[Jen]

Great song, Ms DJ! Thanks Victoria.