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Category: World War II

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A Quick Note of Thanks

Posted by: Kerry Ward

Veterans Day season is understandably a traditionally busy time for the Veterans History Project (VHP) staff and supporters. With media interviews, performances, workshops, exhibits, veteran/Gold Star family member interview opportunities and ceremonies, this year was certainly no different.  As we bask in the afterglow of successfully sharing stories through multiple mediums, I would be remiss …

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Website Redesign Makes VHP Easier Than Ever

Posted by: Kerry Ward

How are you planning to commemorate this Veterans Day? There are many ways to show gratitude for the veterans in your life.  Can you guess the one I would suggest? Show appreciation to the veteran in your life by helping them collect and preserve their military memories so that they may be accessible through the …

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

Finding Uncle Earl-How Searching For My Namesake Led to the Library of Congress

Posted by: Kerry Ward

The following is a guest blog post by National Court Reporters Foundation Chair, Early Langley nee Zimpfer. Most individuals arbitrarily assume that I was named “Early” as I was a premature surprise for my parents. The reality is that I came after. I was named after my uncle, Pvt. First Class Earl K. Zimpfer, a …

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

The Last Sunday in September

Posted by: Kerry Ward

The last Sunday in September marks Gold Star Mothers and Family’s day- a day for our nation to show our profound gratitude and respect for the families of our fallen.  Last year, the Library of Congress invited Gold Star families to join us so that we could celebrate the lives, service and love of their …

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

“A Bad Penny Always Returns”

Posted by: Kerry Ward

This is the sixth blog post in a series marking the 75th Anniversary of the End of World War II, and will feature an “Aviator Flight Log Book,” which will be available during the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover in September 2020. While I enjoy working remotely, I miss having the opportunity to interact with those visiting the Veterans History Project’s …

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

Power for the Pacific and the Cactus Air Force

Posted by: Kerry Ward

This is the fifth blog post in a series marking the 75th Anniversary of the End of World War II, and will feature an “Aviator Flight Log Book,” which will be available during the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover in September 2020. I think we can all agree that summer 2020 looks a little different than we had planned.  Having cancelled …

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

Turning the Tides in the Pacific

Posted by: Kerry Ward

This is the fourth blog post in a series marking the 75th Anniversary of the End of World War II, and will feature an “Aviator Flight Log Book,” which will be available during the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover in September 2020. There are certain moments in life that stay with you forever.  “Flashbulb memories,” as Lisa Taylor points out in …

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

Volunteering Against the Odds

Posted by: Kerry Ward

This is the third blog post in a series marking the 75th Anniversary of the End of World War II, and will feature an “Aviator Flight Log Book,” which will be available during the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover in September 2020. In the spring of 1940, Nazi Germany’s shadow was cast over much of Western Europe, but with world domination …

A man playing a guitar and singing to a close crowd of a dozen or so men and women

AVIATORS WANTED: Training Those Willing to Fly to Fill the Sky

Posted by: Kerry Ward

This is the second blog in a series marking the 75th Anniversary of the End of World War II and will feature an “Aviator Flight Log Book” which will be available during the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover in September 2020. If you were offered a chance to learn to fly at little to no cost, …