Last Updated on February 22, 2024, 12:00 PM | Published: February 22, 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY — A special event to honor and preserve the stories of veterans was held Wednesday by True Sky Credit Union, in collaboration with the American Red Cross serving Central and Southwest Oklahoma, U.S. Senator James Lankford’s office, and the National Society of Colonial Dames of America.
Held at the True Sky Hangar 46 coworking space on Wednesday, February 21, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the event aimed to gather firsthand accounts of military service for the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress.
Veterans were encouraged to share their experiences, while volunteers from the community assisted with the interviews. This initiative, spearheaded by Senator Lankford’s office and the American Red Cross, highlighted the importance of preserving the voices of veterans for future generations.
Terry Davis, a Vietnam veteran, was one of many veterans who came to share his story. He said he especially felt called to attend because he knows other veterans that don’t feel comfortable sharing some of the things they’ve been through.
“It’s really, really hard for some guys because sometimes they just can’t get it out,” Davis said. “A lot of guys are just stuck, so I really praise anyone who’s able to get it out. I’m just glad to be able to participate and do anything I can do to help other veterans.”
He said events like this can help veterans open up, especially about post-traumatic stress experiences.
“I think this here is a great opportunity, and I’m very pleased with it,” Davis said.
The Veterans History Project
The Veterans History Project, a community-driven oral history endeavor hosted by the Library of Congress, seeks to capture and share the personal accounts of U.S. military veterans who have served from World War I to present-day.
The primary goal is to provide future generations with direct insights from veterans, enabling a deeper understanding of their experiences, actions, and emotions during their service. The project has expanded to encompass the collection of additional primary source materials, including letters, diaries, and photographs.
Senator James Lankford’s office initiated becoming a part of the Veterans History Project along with the American Red Cross, which provides disaster relief, blood supply, and support to military families. The first event with the Red Cross took place in January at All Souls’ Episcopal Church in Oklahoma City.
Amanda English, Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces Regional Program Manager, emphasized the importance of preserving veterans’ stories and the Red Cross’s commitment to supporting military families.
“Conducting these interviews and preserving veterans’ stories are just part of what we do to support them,” she said in a press statement. “It can do so much for their wellbeing.”
This was the first time for True Sky Credit Union, a not-for-profit and member-owned financial institution in the Oklahoma City metro area, to host the event.
Daniel Garcia is the Senior Director of Multicultural Strategy at True Sky Federal Credit Union, and he serves as a board member with the American Red Cross. He is also an Air Force Veteran. When he heard about this event through the American Red Cross, he knew that he wanted to be involved somehow, so he helped facilitate the Credit Union’s community space, Hanger 46, as the next location to capture veterans’ stories.
“It really means a lot to hear these people’s stories, but more than that to give them this opportunity where they can truly be captured so that it will not be forgotten,” Garcia said.
Garcia was struck by a particular aspect of the event: the way veterans’ stories could live on in the Library of Congress. Volunteers at the event also provided each interviewee with a personal copy on a thumb drive so they could have immediate access to their stories. While the event was primarily for veterans, Garcia emphasized its significance for their families, who could now better understand their loved ones’ experiences and access their relative’s story online in the archives at any time.
“There are so many special stories out there, and this is such a unique opportunity, and I’m very grateful for Senator Lankford’s initiative to do something like this,” Garcia said.
Capturing the Voices of Veterans
At this event, veterans were invited to speak about whatever they chose, as long as it included personal accounts of their military service. These interviews were unedited and uncensored, so their words went into the historical record exactly as they said them.
Interviewers were trained in protocol to ensure the comfort of interviewees and were provided with guidelines and sample questions from the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress tailors interview questions based on the interviewee’s background. For example, they might ask a member of a “Gold Star Family,” which is defined as a family member of someone who died as a result of their service during a period of war, about coping with loss, Memorial Day celebrations, and remembering their loved one. For Native American families, questions might focus on the veteran’s experiences serving alongside other Native veterans or their involvement in Native veteran groups.
Zeke Jenkins works with the American Legion and attended the event that morning. He said the opportunity to share stories as a veteran can be like a type of therapy and may even lead some interviewees to unpack things safely in ways they haven’t before.
“Everyone has a story,” Jenkins said. “I think having the opportunity to tell their story is therapeutic. I’m very grateful to the bodies that be that put this program together. I appreciate the fact that this is being done.”
Throughout the day, veterans attended the event to share their experiences, with one guest even having authored a book on the subject. This event underscored the significance of preserving the stories of veterans for future generations, but it also was an example of the importance of community collaboration, as several different Oklahoma organizations, political offices, and volunteers came together to make this event possible.
Zoe Travers has spent her career covering local musicians, artists, politicians, and everyday folks. She is also Oklahoma City’s most enthusiastic connoisseur of cheese danishes.
