The memories of 21 Arkansas veterans became part of the world’s largest oral history archive thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR).
Preserved at the Library of Congress, the Veterans History Project (VHP) houses more than 100,000 stories of our nation’s veterans. Boozman’s office has encouraged Arkansans to get involved with collecting and sharing the stories of these heroes.
“The Veterans History Project is a unique collection of the memories of our veterans. Preserving these firsthand accounts is important to understanding our history,” Boozman said. “I’m proud to support this project and encouraged by the enthusiasm across the state to join in this effort to honor the sacrifice and service of Arkansas veterans in this manner.”
To promote the program, Boozman’s office has conducted 13 VHP workshops, training more than 300 people in Arkansas over the last two years. These have inspired participation in the program all across the state.
Submissions presented to the VHP include interviews conducted by Boozman, members of his staff and Springdale Har-Ber High School students.
High School students were encouraged to collect the memories of our veterans for the Veterans Oral History competition of the Spring Creek Festival, a showcase of video and photography from high school and college students.
“It is our job to give back the best way we can and this opportunity was just that. It allowed us to capture memories from history, connect with people first hand and listen to their stories. We were very humbled by this chance and my students were greatly impacted from these stories,” Travis Sherman Har-Ber High School Television Productions teacher said.
Arkansas members of the American Legion, Disabled Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars joined Boozman’s office to submit the oral history projects and receive an overview of the VHP at the Library of Congress.
