There is perhaps no better way to learn about history than through firsthand accounts. You get a better understanding of what really happened when you hear directly from those who lived through the events. That’s what the Veterans History Project (VHP)—an initiative that aims to preserve and make accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans—seeks to do.
Since the VHP was approved by Congress in 2000, over 100,000 veterans have described their service in audio and video recordings that are now part of the collection. Submissions have been archived from veterans of World War I through Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. These men and women participated and witnessed some pivotal events in our nation’s history.
Arkansans have a long and proud history of supporting our nation’s military. More than 250,000 veterans call Arkansas home, however only 1,000 Arkansas veterans’ stories are part of the VHP collection. I want to make sure this collection includes examples of courage, bravery and service of as many Arkansans who have worn our nation’s uniform as possible.
Many of us have family members and friends who have served in the Armed Forces. Capturing and preserving their memories is a great way to honor their service and commitment to our country.
For more information on how you can participate in the Veterans History Project, visit http://www.loc.gov/vets
Boozman Invites Arkansans to Preserve the Stories of Veterans
Preserving the Memories of our Veterans
Senator Boozman's office has conducted several workshops to teach volunteers how to capture the memories of our veterans. His staff has interviewed several veterans for the VHP. He launched his 'Salute to Veterans' tribute to highlight those interviews which will be added to the VHP collection at the Library of Congress.
WWII veteran Arlis Owens was a 19-year-old newlywed living in El Paso, Arkansas when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served with Battery A of the 250th Field Artillery Battalion where he drove a truck and set up the guns, a position he thought would keep him safe.
WWII veteran Robert Fahr was born and raised near Marmaduke, Arkansas. He studied at the University of Arkansas where he joined the Army ROTC before finishing requirements for his veterinary medicine degree at Texas A&M. The Army transferred him around stateside to utilize his expertise with animals. Hear from Fahr on his recollections of his military service.
WWII veteran Richard Parkins, a Conway resident, grew up in West Virginia. He wanted to enlist in order to get in the same naval specialty as his brother. After his family talked him out of this, he worked in a B-26 factory in Baltimore, Maryland before being drafted. Parkins served in the Army as a switchboard operator, a position he was assigned after becoming ill. Listen to his memories of his service.
Floyd Brantley, a WWII veteran who served in the Navy and continued military service in the Air Force during the Korean War, eventually re-enlisting in the Armed Forces when he was 50-years-old. Listen to Brantley recall his time serving our country in uniform.
Audie Lynch, grew up near Scotland, Arkansas in Van Buren County. He enlisted in the Navy in WWII in order to participate in a program he fondly recalls as "little naval academy" which included rigorous academic work. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Charles Carroll in the Pacific fleet and participated in the Easter invasion of Okinawa in 1945. Hear from Lynch about his memories of his military service.
WWII veteran Russell 'Bo' Falls, a Conway resident, grew up in Texas. He followed two of his older brothers into military service in the Navy. Falls went through boot camp in San Diego and went to radio school before being stationed in northern California and eventually was assigned sea duty and was stationed on Guam. Falls recalled his time in the military.
Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Kenneth Lucas served in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He had a distingished military career that included assignments at a veterinary hospital and a POW hospital. Listen to Lucas recall his memories of his time in the military.
WWII veteran Jesse Robertson grew up in Mulberry, Arkansas. He enlisted in the Army Air Force and served as a crew chief in a unit that traveled around the country to train crews on B-24s. Hear from Robertson as he recalls his time in military service.
WWII veteran Billie Seamans grew up in McGehee, Arkansas. He enlisted in the Army Air Force and served as a photographer for 54 missions on the “Flying Fortress,” the B-17. “The main thing was getting the bombs away shot and watching the bombs hit the target. I was taking pictures of all of it,” Seamans said. “I sat in a little place called the camera well and the bomb bay doors were right behind by back.” Listen to Seamans recall his time in military service.
Vietnam veteran Bob Graham grew up in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and was assigned to a unit in De Nang, Vietnam where is primary duty was driving trucks. Listen to Graham recall his time in uniform.
Colonel (retired) Don English served in the U.S. Army for 30 years. His distinguished military career includes assignments in Germany, two tours in Vietnam, the Pentagon and with the Old Guard in Fort Myer, Virginia. Listen to Col. English's memories of his time in the military.
Lieutenant Colonel (retired) William (Bill) Ledbetter served in the Pacific during WWII. Following his service, he attended college, where he enlisted in the Arkansas National Guard. His service to our country spanned more than four decades. Listen as Ledbetter recalls memories of his military service.
Herbert ‘Lucky’ Page served in the U.S. Marines during WWII & the Korean War. He earned his nickname during a battle in the Pacific in WWII after he was thought to have been killed in action and placed with the remains of deceased Marines. Hear from Page as he recalls his experiences in the military.
Edwin Ledbetter was deployed to Europe as a pilot during WWII. During his fourth mission his plane crash landed in France. He sustained a dislocated shoulder, flesh wound on his head and a broken arm. He and the other surviving crew members were captured by German troops. Listen as Ledbetter tells his memories of his time in our nation's uniform.
