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.

[Jen]

Come visit the new daily thread in the VetsCoR Forum -- the FReeper Foxhole.

Pinging B4Ranch's list. Please freepmail me if you would like to be removed from the FReeper Foxhole list.

[big'ol_freeper]

Hooah! I just received my retirement orders this week. 20 years sure went fast.

[Jen]

Come visit the new daily thread in the VetsCoR Forum -- the FReeper Foxhole.

Pinging B4Ranch's list. Please freepmail me if you would like to be removed from the FReeper Foxhole list.

[JRandomFreeper]

Thanks for the ping. This should be an interesting thread.

/john

[JRandomFreeper]

I just received my retirement orders this week.

Congrats! I won't see mine for another 12. ;>)

/john

[humblegunner]

Outstanding Job! Please add me to the ping list.

[Jen]

Come visit the new daily thread in the VetsCoR Forum -- the FReeper Foxhole.

Pinging B4Ranch's list. Please freepmail me if you would like to be removed from the FReeper Foxhole list.

[Jen]

Come visit the new daily thread in the VetsCoR Forum -- the FReeper Foxhole.

Pinging B4Ranch's list. Please freepmail me if you would like to be removed from the FReeper Foxhole list.

[IncredibleHulk]

This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart. I would still be there if I could. Please keep me on your ping list.

[Jen]

Come visit the new daily thread in the VetsCoR Forum -- the FReeper Foxhole.

Pinging B4Ranch's list. Please freepmail me if you would like to be removed from the FReeper Foxhole list.

[firewalk]

Thank you for the ping, here's another bump....

[Jen]

Come visit the new daily thread in the VetsCoR Forum -- the FReeper Foxhole.

Pinging B4Ranch's list. Please freepmail me if you would like to be removed from the FReeper Foxhole list.

[cavtrooper21]

This is cool, thanks. I don't know if any of you out there caught the piece this morning on CBS (I think) about the family in Ohio that has ALL 3 kids in the Army and in the Gulf area. I almost cried when I listened to those parents and their brave children. What true patriots!
When so many are too self-centered or cowardly to step forward and place themselves in harms way for freedom's cause, these wonderful Americans are there for all of us.
As they have kept faith with the country that bore them, let us keep faith with them and always remember them in our hearts and prayers.

[SpookBrat]

What a beautiful thread. I'm running out the door. I'll be back later to read the whole thread.

[CPOSharky]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't those M-1 rifles being carried by the Color Guard?

Yes, it is a Garand. The only rifle that has a whole series of competition matches just for it. I shot matches with one while in the Navy and have a pre-war model (Nov 41) that I shoot in Garand matches now.

[MacDorcha]

BUMP! good idea! gl to you

[MacDorcha]

BUMP! good idea! gl to you

[Jen]

Come visit the new daily thread in the VetsCoR Forum -- the FReeper Foxhole.

Pinging B4Ranch's list. Please freepmail me if you would like to be removed from the FReeper Foxhole list.

[NEWwoman]

Thanks for including me.
God bless all of you who fought/are fighting to keep us free.