A national volunteer effort started by a unanimous vote in the U.S. Congress has been collecting the oral histories of America’s wartime veterans. Over the last five years, the Veterans History Project (VHP), which is part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, has collected more than 35,000 firsthand recollections. But it’s only a fraction of the 19 million-plus stories the Project would like to add to the permanent collections of the Library of Congress.

This collection of stories of valor, sacrifice, and love is unique in that it’s been assembled by volunteers from all across the country. The stories become part of the nation’s recorded history and are available to anyone who wants to share or learn from these reminiscences, either in person or online.

As an interviewer, you are, in essence, a volunteer historian, recording a story that you’re unlikely to get from a textbook or a typical historical account. And just as important, you’re honoring our veterans by taking time to learn about their experiences as combatants or civilians who worked in jobs in direct support of our armed forces. It’s as easy as having a conversation, except that you’re recording it on audio or videotape and maybe even collecting letters, photographs, or other historical documents.

You can become a volunteer historian and a part of this important program. Just go to the VHP’s website and learn step by step how to get involved. All it takes is a few hours of your time and your desire to honor a veteran. Start with veterans in your extended family. Record their stories; make a copy for the Library of Congress and your own family archives.

Visit VHP at www.loc.gov/ vets, email vohp@loc.gov or call the message line at (888) 3715848.

Fri., Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.