The following is the fifth and last post in a series relating to the Medal of Honor. At the age of seven, Alfred V. Rascon was so enthralled by the idea of becoming a paratrooper that he made his own parachute, jumped off the roof of his house, landed on his head, and broke his …
The following is the fourth in a series relating to the Medal of Honor. Thanksgiving, with millions of Americans on the road, is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. If you’re doing the traveling this year, I implore you to try a new travel game: find the Medal of Honor landmarks/monuments across America, and the recipients …
Next week, to commemorate Veterans Day, the Veterans History Project (VHP) will release a new online portal to the digitized collections of over 150 recipients of the Medal of Honor. The nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor has been awarded to a very select group of individuals—since 1861, less than 3,500 members of …
The following is a guest blog post by Kerry Ward, Liaison Specialist for the Veterans History Project (VHP). As this Veterans Day approaches, I find myself really pondering the word “veteran,” and all it encompasses. If you ask most people to describe what they visualize as “veteran” comes up, chances are many will envision a white-haired, Caucasian …
The following is a guest blog post by Kerry Ward, a liaison specialist for the Veterans History Project (VHP). Predating even the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Navy was commissioned in 1775 by the Continental Congress. Starting with a small anti-piracy force with two ships [i], the U.S. Navy now is the largest navy in …
The following is a guest blog post by Kerry Ward, a liaison specialist for the Veterans History Project (VHP). As I wrap up my first month working for the Veterans History Project, I find myself reflecting on my first impressions. Only a few weeks ago, I packed all of my possessions, boyfriend and bulldog into …
The following is a guest blog post by Rachel Telford, Archivist for the Veterans History Project. A few days ago, the Veterans History Project launched “A World Overturned,” the third and final installment of our companion site to the Library of Congress exhibit, “Echoes of the Great War.” While part one explored the United States’ …
The following is a guest blog post by Andrew Huber, Liaison Specialist for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP). As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through October 15, VHP continues to recognize the contributions of Hispanics and Latinos throughout the military history of our country. Hispanic and Latino Americans have fought in every …
The following is a guest post by Irene Lule, a Library of Congress Junior Fellow who worked with the Veterans History Project (VHP) this summer. Of all the types of material contributed to the Veterans History Project, World War I-era postcards are among my favorites. Postcards sent and kept by veterans are striking in their …