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.

[MistyCA]

Thanks so much for posting the pictures of your dad. I am sorry for your loss.

[SAMWolf]

And a great "burr in the side" putter you are too. Don't understate your contribution.

[JennysCool]

Thank you so much for including me in the ping! The foxhole is a great idea! A joyous Christmas to you!

[the rifleman]

Thank you! That's the plane.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Great work, Jen, Misty and SAM. Thank you for honoring the vets and providing a place to share war stories daily.

[Jen]

Misty! You are embarrasing me! I am no 'ace' - just a web design student who is barely passing CGI-Perl and a stupid square-filler Math class!

The part about Sam being the world's best historian and scrounger and you sticking a burr in our sides is true though. hehehehehehe

[SAMWolf]

The crew of "Chief Oshkosh" Standing (L to R): Ed McGiff (RO), Louis Allen (FE), Daniel Nealy (G), Glenn Markham (G), and Willard Deforrest (G). Front (L to R): Weinstein, John Barry and Wilber Genz. (486th collection, 8th AF Museum via David Brown)

Crew returned to the US in the "Chief." However, the aircraft was returned to Europe to help ferry supplies

[MistyCA]

Thanks so much for the music, Victoria! :))))

[the rifleman]

Thanks Sam! That was one of the photos. I can't believe you found that! That is so damn cool!

[MistyCA]

My dad died in 1989. It's still hard. It took a long time not to try to pick up the phone to call him, or to try to suppress the desire to tell him something really interesting. You never forget those people who are so important to you, and that's really a good thing, imo. We just find new ways to communicate :)

[SAMWolf]

It's the "Official" USAAF photo. I sure would like to see Mr. Genz's personal photo album.

[cavtrooper21]

Great Pics! Always wondered what happened to the Ward. The great thing about this site is that I learn something new almost every day!

[elbucko]

I would like to say a well done SAMWolf, and a big Army Air Defense Command Bummp!

"Blazing Skies!" (battle stations).

[higgmeister]

I was a two winger Pinger right out of basic in
Jimmy Carter's Air Force and made Staff Sgt
in 3 years and 9 months.  I have a subscription
to Smithsonian Air and Space and Air Force
Magazine.   Maybe I just didn't get enough 20
years ago.  Anti Jen, Ma'am, keep me on the
list if you will.        

[MistyCA]

That's an idea, Tonk. Thanks for suggesting it. Thanks again for keeping the Canteen doors open. Your mail efforts are extremely important, and entertaining the troops is too. The intent here is to delve a little deeper and give vets the opportunity to discuss the issues. Honoring vets who are freepers and others who have made an impact on their lives is a good thing that I would love to see us do here. :)

[eldoradude]

Awesome! Thanks for the ping. USMC 1983-1989 - Semper Fi

[MistyCA]

LMAO! Thanks. Rather be the burr in the side than the pain in the.....never mind! :)

[Jen]

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.

It was one of my greatest honors as an Air Force veteran and as a FReeper to be featured on a FReeper Friday Canteen thread.

Tonk, if you don't want to continue the FReeper Friday threads at the Canteen or don't have time to do so with your work and USCG Auxiliary involvement, and if there is any interest among the people who post at the Foxhole, we might be able to profile a FReeper veteran periodically. The Foxhole is not in competition with the Canteen, Tonk, and FReeper Friday is the Canteen's tradition. The Foxhole and the Canteen's missions and target audiences are quite different. The Foxhole just adds another dimension in FR's support of our nation's military and Veterans.