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]

Flanders Fields....awesome! Thanks.

[Jen]

A Reporter? Awwwww shit! I thought I'd had enough of you journalist types while I was on active duty. (hehehehehehehe)

Jen
(USAF PAO)

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Tonk.

Keep up the good work with the Freeper Post Office. Our new Vets aren't going to get the "Vietnam" treatment.

[MistyCA]

OH, please do! You are more than welcome here! In fact, we would LOVE to have you! :)

[the rifleman]

I will. The house is in probate now so I believe that I'll be looking after it for a while yet. I also know his youngist son well, he'll let me make some copies. The kid (about 35-40) was so broken about his dad passing away he couldn't even attend the funeral. He is a bit on the slow side and really idolized his dad, still needed him in away. But he knows I'll help him in anyway I can so some day on one of these threads I'll be posting some really unique pictures.

[Jen]

Is it OK if a daughter of a WWII vet hangs out here!?!

Well..... I don't know. The entrance requirements are quite stringent. Can you hit a 10-foot target from 5 feet??? Do you know the difference between a tank and a tanker??? Do you know the difference between Navy and Air Force blue???? Hmmmmmmm? If you can answer 'yes' to one of these questions, you can stay in the FReeper Foxhole. hahahahahaha

[MistyCA]

Yes, Tonk. that was exactly what we believed when we started this effort. Thanks for understanding our mission and supporting it! We will do the same for you at the Canteen! :)))

[Lo-Pro]

:)

nah! we're like cockroaches....just when you think you've gotten rid of us, we pop up - again!!

[MistyCA]

ROFLMAO! Just don't touch me! ((((NHH)))) LOLOL! :)

[MistyCA]

ROFLMAO! Just don't touch me! ((((NHH)))) LOLOL! :)

[PsyOp]

Thanks for the Ping. Sounds like time for a quote. Or Two.

"Wars do not always wait until all the combatants are ready. Sometimes they come before they are ready, sometimes when one nation thinks itself less unready than another, or when one nation thinks it is likely to become not stronger, but weaker, as time passes." - Winston Churchill, speech, House of Commons. March 10, 1936.

http://www.FreeRepublic.com/focus/news/675732/posts

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hmmm, aren't you a dog lover.

[Jen]

It's fine with me Sam. I'm not the Boss Lady in Charge here! hahahahaha FReeper Vet profiles are great! No problem with me, friend. Jen

[Jen]

When I "see" a hot vets issue you can bet I'll post it here.

That's wonderful Tonk. And when I see a story involving our active duty troops I'll post it the Canteen if it's OK with you.

[Senator Pardek]

Damn you, Victoria - I was trying to make a point. Ask Sabertooth why he thinks it's OK to do that.

Damn you, Victoria

Oh my - I yelled at you - forgive me! ;)

[Madcelt]

One must never forget...Nothing is Free,Not even freedom(Arlington,Anzio,Flanders...). The price is high. That "price" can never be forgotten. God bless and take care all.

[MistyCA]

dad was in the Pacific Fleet but I don't have any of the paperwork with me that tells his ship or the exact dates. I have posted that information on here before....maybe I can find it somewhere! :) Mid 40's. Let me see if I can "scrounge" up the details! :) His ship was in drydock in Chicago where my dad went to radio school. It went back into service in the Pacific and was then taken out again, but I don't remember the name. Everything in is storage in California right now :(

[MistyCA]

LOLOLOLOL! Say what you mean, Jen! :)

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"And when I see a story involving our active duty troops I'll post it the Canteen"

Thanks!