Over 100 veterans, spouses and family members attended a dinner to kick off Campbell University’s participation in a nationwide oral history project on Thursday, Sept. 25. Created by the United States Congress in 2000 as part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, the Veterans History Project collects and archives the personal recollections of U.S. wartime veterans to honor their service and share their stories with current and future generations. The project also collects stories from civilians who worked in support of the armed forces.
The university will partner with television station FOX 50 to preserve the experiences of those who have participated in America’s major conflicts, from WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Distinguished newscaster Charlie Gaddy, former anchor for WRAL-TV, became emotional as he recalled covering the 50th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy.
“I spoke to a woman in the little town of Sainte-Mére-Église who woke up to the shouts of American soldiers being parachuted in for the D-Day Invasion,” he said. “She told me she understood what was happening immediately and dropped to her knees in gratitude.”
Over the next several months, Campbell’s Office of University Communications will schedule interviews with veterans who are interested in telling their stories.
“This is a wonderful project,” said Army veteran John L. Finger, Jr. “It will give veterans the opportunity to be recognized and honored. I am proud to be a part of it.”
In addition to the veterans’ stories, those U.S. citizen civilians who were actively involved in supporting war efforts such as war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers and others are also invited to share their valuable stories.
For more on Campbell’s Veterans History Project, go to www.campbell.edu/veterans, or call 1-800-334-4111, ext. 4376 (HERO) to request more information.
Photo Copy #1: Former news anchor Charlie Gaddy, center, and Campbell biology professor Dr. Michael Larsen, right, talk to one of the many area veterans who attended Thursday’s dinner to launch Campbell’s local Veterans History Project.