Veterans History Project Under Way

The Fairmont State campus community is participating in a nationwide effort to preserve the stories of World War II veterans.

The World War II Veterans History Project collects stories from veterans and civilians who served during the war. Through oral interviews, war-time correspondence and visual materials such as scrapbooks, these individuals share memories of their experiences. The interviews and any artifacts donated will be stored in the Library of Congress Archives, as well as in the Ruth Ann Musick Library at Fairmont State. The veterans or wartime civilians also receive copies of their interviews.

FS students, faculty and staff comprise a "service learning community" to collect as many of these stories as possible through the recording of oral histories. West Virginia has the highest number of veterans per capita: 202,000.

Dr. Nancy McClure, Director of the Fairmont State Foundation Center for Teaching Excellence, is spearheading the FS campus efforts.

"The importance of this project cannot be overstated," McClure said. "Because these men and women served their country, the rest of us can enjoy our freedom. Our being involved in the project is just one small way we can honor them."

Those interested in being interviewed, conducting interviews or learning more about the project can contact Dr. Nancy McClure at (304) 367-4508 or at nmcclure@fairmontstate.edu.