Chicago World War II Veterans Oral History Anthology

Project Description
World War II veterans are living repositories of an important segment of American history, and this project will document their memories, stories and experiences. The Chicago World War II Veterans Oral History Anthology will equip members of our youngest generation with audio recorders, notepads and cameras to record the wartime stories of the “greatest generation” and their families. Based on those recordings, a video will be developed that encapsulates these stories. Once the video has been produced, Congressman Emanuel will convene a series of events at area schools where the video is shown and veterans provide comments and answer students’ questions. Congressman Emanuel will also submit a copy of the video and other documentation to the Library of Congress American Folklife Center, where the anthology will become a permanent part of the Library’s Veterans History project. Area schools will also receive a copy of the video.

Project Partners
Congressman Emanuel’s office will forge a partnership to develop and implement the project.
These partners will include:

• Local schools and universities, including: Chicago Public Schools, DePaul University, Northeastern Illinois University, Wright College;
• Veterans’ organizations, including: Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA, Jewish War Veterans of the USA

Project Milestones and Timeline
This spring, Chicago high schools, colleges and universities will begin recruiting student interviewers, and veterans’ organizations will begin identifying veterans who want to participate. Students will begin interviewing Chicago’s veterans by Memorial Day, continuing throughout the summer. Video screenings will begin in Chicago area schools, culminating in a Veterans Day celebration. The videos and other artifacts from the Chicago World War II Veterans Oral History Anthology will be submitted to the Library of Congress American Folklife Center, becoming a permanent piece of the Library’s Veterans’ Oral History project.

Press Releases and Floor Statements

• 11/11/2003 - Honoring Our Veterans

• 6/16/2006 - Emanuel Applauds House Admin on Honoring Fallen

• 5/22/2006 - Emanuel to Commemorate Memorial Day Weekend with WWII Vets; Will Announce the Safe Return Act of 2006

• 11/10/2005 - Emanuel, Lautenberg Honor Fallen Troops; Resolution to Recognize Fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan

• 11/2/2005 - Emanuel Announces Wounded Heroes Gift Fairness Act

• 10/14/2005 - American Legion Endorses Welcome Home GI Bill; Medals Awarded to World War II Vets

• 6/27/2005 - Congress Continues to Honor America's Fallen

• 6/23/2005 - Congress Honors America's Fallen

• 5/30/2005 - Emanuel Awards Bronze Medal to Battle of the Bulge Veteran

• 5/21/2005 - Business School at University of Illinois Creates $250,000 Scholarship for Vets

• 4/28/2005 - Emanuel Picks Up Nineteen Cosponsors for GI Bill

• 4/25/2005 - Emanuel Receives Durbin Endorsement of Welcome Home GI Bill

• 4/17/2005 - Emanuel Receives VFW Praise for Welcome Home GI Bill

• 11/10/2004 - Emanuel Brings Chicago World War II Veterans’ Stories to Chicago Students; Presents Medals to Widow of WWII Veteran

• 5/25/2004 - Emanuel, Students Begin Interviewing WWII Veterans

• 3/28/2004 - Emanuel Announces Chicago WWII Veterans Oral History Anthology, Joined by World War II Vets, Chicago Public Schools, University Reps

• 11/25/2003 - Emanuel Votes for Expansion of Chicago VA Center

• 6/21/2006 - Congress Continues to Honor America’s Fallen

• 6/15/2006 - Emanuel Praises 9-11 Widows' Courage

• 3/3/2005 - Emanuel Delivers Remarks on Welcome Home G.I. Bill

• 10/8/2003 - Statement: Paying Back our Veterans

• 9/24/2003 - Statement: Emanuel in Support of Improving Compensation for the Men and Women of the United States Armed Forces

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