Veterans stories wanted by Library of Congress

Interviews

to be archived

in several

libraries

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Veterans of World War II and their families are being sought by the Brown County Veterans Council, local veterans organizations and the Brown County Historical Society for a Veteran History Project at New Ulm High School.

Beginning Oct. 6, NUHS history teacher Kelly Dunn's students will interview WWII and home front family members concerning their military service and family life during the war.

Meanwhile, interviews of Korean, Vietnam and Gulf War veterans and their families will be conducted over the next year by volunteers with help from the Brown County Veterans Council and Historical Society.

Biographical data sheets will be completed on each veteran or civilian interviewee. Release forms will be signed by those interviewed.

First-hand account interviews will last about 30 minutes. Copies of the interviews and related information and materials such as photographs, diaries, selected letters and maps will be made for veterans or their family members, Brown County libraries and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

The Veterans History Project, to be filed with the American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress, will allow future generations to learn about those who fought to sustain the freedom that we find challenged throughout the world today as well as those that kept the home front running during some of America's most difficult times.

For more information and to schedule an interview, contact Brown County Veteran's Service Officer Greg Peterson at 233-6637, Wil Burdorf of the Brown County Veterans Council at 354-6687 or Kellie Dunn at NUHS at 359-8420.

Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.