Congress created the Veterans History Project in 2000. This project collects and preserves personal account of American War Veterans from World War I, WW II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. By collecting personal accounts, the Library of Congress is able to make veteran’s stories accessible to future generations to better understand the realities of war.
I had the distinct honor of interviewing General William Gourley for this project in 2008. It was an experience I will not forget.
There are three ways a veteran can participate in the project. You, the veteran, can submit a memoir to the Library of Congress directly. You, the veteran, can sign up for the oral history project online and have someone you know conduct the interview. Or you, the veterans, can schedule an appointment through my office for one of my staff to conduct the oral history project.
Writing a Memoir:
To submit your memoir directly to the Library of Congress, please click here. Memoirs must be a minimum of 20 pages and it is preferred that they be typewritten and double-spaced.
Conducting Your Own Interview:
If you plan of having a family member or friend conduct your interview please register online at www.loc.gov/vets/donate/index.php. After registering, you will print the Veterans History Project Field Kit or pick up a field kit at either of my Salinas or Santa Cruz office. Next, the person that you have chosen will conduct the interview based on the required forms in the field kit. Lastly you can either send your collection directly to the Library of Congress or drop it off at either Congressman Farr’s Salinas or Santa Cruz office.
Veterans History Project
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave., SE
Washington, D.C. 20540-4615
Sign-up Through My Office:
Call my Santa Cruz office to schedule an appointment to conduct a 20-30 minute interview, (831) 429-1976.
