Alaska is home to a higher percentage of veterans than any other state, and they each have a story to tell.
This month, Alaska Congressman Don Young launched a project between his office and the Library of Congress to preserve those stories.
The Veterans History Project was created through an Act of Congress to record oral histories of American veterans with the first-hand accounts of those who have served, along with collections of photographs, letters, and diaries.
“Alaska is the proud home to over 70,000 U.S. Military veterans who served our country during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and various other conflicts throughout the world. U.S. Military veterans are our friends, family members, and neighbors,” Young said. “They teach our children, attend our worship services, and are involved in community activities across our great state. One of the best ways we can honor their service to our nation is by listening to their voices and developing an appreciation and understanding from the stories they have to tell.”
Young is a veteran of the U.S. Army and recently traveled to Normandy to honor the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Normandy during World War II.
[Read: Don Young pays his respect at Normandy]
The Veterans History Project is open to all military veterans or Gold Star Family members age 18 and older. The main ways to participate include:
1) A veteran or Gold Star family member may participate in a 30 minute video interview with a member of Congressman Don Young’s staff.
2) A veteran may also submit original, unpublished memoirs of their service.
3) A veteran may donate original photographs, letters, or two-dimensional works of art.
Young’s congressional office in Alaska is scheduling interviews with interested Alaskans in their Anchorage and Fairbanks offices throughout the remainder of 2019. If you, or a veteran you know is interested in preserving your stories in the Library of Congress, contact his office at (907) 271-5978 or via email at [email protected].
A printable pamphlet about the Veterans History Project, is here.