Library News
Red Rock News
Date: October 26, 2007
Veterans History Project at the Sedona Public Library
What does the Sedona Public Library have in common with AARP and the Library of Congress? All three are participants in the Veterans History Project, which is honoring our nation’s war veterans and those who supported them by recording their oral histories, and photographing their memoirs and other documents related to their wartime experiences.
First-hand personal stories from men and women from all branches of service: the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and Merchant Marine, with emphasis on World War I, World War II, and the Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf wars, are being collected and preserved. The project also documents the contributions of civilians such as medical volunteers and war industry workers who served in support of our armed forces.
Trained volunteers are interviewing our local veterans at the Sedona Public Library. The interviews are digitally recorded and then transferred to three DVD’s. One of these goes to the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, where it becomes a permanent part of the nation’s record. One copy becomes a part of the collection at the Sedona Public Library, and the third copy is sent to the veteran, who is welcome to make copies for his friends and family if desired.
Interviews from across the country can be seen on the Internet at www.loc.gov/vets. The interviews conducted here at our library are also available to the local public. This is an on-going project during which we hope to collect this audio and visual history from all our area veterans.
Veterans who are interested in taking part in this project are urged to contact Laura Bojanowski at the Sedona Public Library by calling 282-7714 ext. 20 or writing to the Veterans History Project, Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Road, Sedona, AZ 86336. If you know of a veteran who might be interested in participating and you’d like us to contact him/her, just call Laura or drop her a note and give us the name, address and phone number.
During the week beginning November 12th we will be honoring all veterans and especially those of our Verde Valley veterans who have participated in this project. There will be displays of photographs and other memorabilia at the library all that week.
On Saturday, November 17, the library will host Meet the Veterans Day at the library Community Room from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Local veterans who have participated in the Veterans History Project have been invited to come to share their stories directly with the public. There will be light refreshments, veterans to meet and lots of interesting tales to be heard. Everyone is invited to come and meet these honored men and women who served in extraordinary times, to learn some history first-hand, and to express appreciation for their service to our nation.
Remember to honor our veterans by celebrating Veteran’s Day on Sunday, November 11.
This column is also presented on: Gateway to Sedona and Sedona Biz
