Congressman Nick Lampson Kicks Off Veterans History Project at UH Feb. 22

UH communication students, Veterans Services Office team with congressman to document soldiers’ stories

Veterans' voices are often unheard and too often forgotten, but now, the men and women of the U.S. armed forces have a chance for their stories to be recorded and preserved for future generations through the Veterans History Project.

On Feb. 22, Rep. Nick Lampson (D-Stafford) will visit the University of Houston's School of Communication, where he and UH media production students will film interviews with Houston veterans. Overseeing the project is UH's Veterans Services Office (VSO).

Last November, Lampson and the University of Houston joined together to document the stories of former soldiers' as part of the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project that was established in 2001.

Students will conduct interviews with veterans from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in room 135 of the school. At 12:45 p.m., Lampson will work with students in interviewing veterans in the school's television studio.

"Houston is proud to have the largest concentration of veterans in the United States. We are obligated to do all we can to honor their service," Lampson said. "The Veterans History Project provides a terrific opportunity for veterans' stories to be recorded for the benefit of all Americans."

The Veterans History Project is an initiative for the Library of Congress aimed at collecting oral histories, memoirs, letters, diaries, photographs and other original materials from veterans and civilians who served in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War and the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. Materials gathered from the project are catalogued in the Library of Congress for future reference.

"For many veterans, who are advanced in age, this might be a last chance for them have their stories documented and archived," said Allen Grundy, program manager for UH VSO. "It's important that they can share these experiences with future generations. It's crucial that others truly understand the sacrifices that these men and women have made for our country and our freedom."

WHAT: Veterans History Project Kickoff
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 22
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (students interviewing veterans);
12:45 - 1:45 p.m. (Lampson assisting students with veterans interviews)
WHERE: UH School of Communication
UH Entrance 16 off of Cullen Blvd.
Houston, TX 77204
WHO: UH Veterans Services Office, UH School of Communication,
Congressman Nick Lampson