Veterans History Project at Sedona Public Library

By Jolene Pierson, Coordinator for the Veterans History Project at Sedona Public Library

Sedona AZ (October 30, 2015) – Saturday, November 7, has been officially proclaimed Veterans History Project Day in the City of Sedona and also in the City of Cottonwood.  Veterans who have contributed their stories to the VHP will be honored that day.

The Sedona Public Library is an official partner with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, which collects and preserves the personal oral histories of our nation’s war veterans. Imagine how fascinating it would be if you could see and hear veterans of the Revolutionary War or the Civil War telling their stories in their own words and voices!  What a wonderful depth of understanding that would add to the historical account of the conflict! 

Specially trained volunteers conduct the interviews of US military veterans who served in conflicts from World War II to the present.  We have heard some remarkable stories of personal sacrifice and endurance; humor and sadness; loneliness and adventure; travel and education; friendships made and careers influenced and enhanced.   Some served stateside.  Some served overseas. Some served distinguished careers without ever firing a shot at an adversary.  Some survived the most horrific battles of these wars and have shared stories of how they were able to cope with these experiences.  Some quietly did their duty without much official recognition or appreciation, still knowing that their job was an essential part of the war effort. 

For every soldier on the front lines of conflict, there were nine others whose jobs assured that the one could do his job; including civilians who actively supported war efforts as defense industry workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, etc., and the stories of those who served behind the scenes are also an important part of the record.

The volunteer members of the local project group have collected the personal stories of more than two hundred sixty  area veterans.  We hope to reach all of our veterans so that these memories are preserved as part our national and local history and for the individual veteran’s family.

Interviews are conducted privately in the Quiet Study Room of the Sedona Public Library.  Completed interviews are transferred to DVDs, one of which is given to the participating veteran and can become a priceless family legacy.  One copy is sent to the Library of Congress where it will be carefully preserved as part of our nation’s history.  Two copies are retained in the Sedona Public Library.  Although these copies cannot be checked out, copied, or viewed on a personal computer, they are available at the reference desk and may be viewed on the library’s computer.  

If you are a veteran, if you know a veteran who should be invited to participate in this project, or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jolene Pierson at 282-7999 or jpierson@commspeed.net to learn more about our local project.  To learn more about the national Veterans History Project, visit the website of the Library of Congress at www.loc.gov/vets.

Funding for this project is provided locally through tax-deductible donations by individuals and by the generous support local businesses and organizations.  Donations may be sent to the Sedona Public Library, specifying that the donation is restricted to the Veterans History Project.

We invite everyone to join us for our monthly “Coffee with a Vet” program at the Library. Dates are posted on the library bulletin boards and on the library website at www.sedonalibrary.org. The next “Coffee with a Vet” date is Friday, November 20, from 10:00 a.m. to noon