Arkansans have a long and proud history of serving in our armed forces. Today, around 200,000 veterans call The Natural State their home.

 

Growing up in a military family, I learned every day about the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make while defending and protecting our nation. But then, and throughout my life, I have also witnessed how reluctant many veterans are to talk about their experiences. In fact, I never heard many stories from my own dad who served for 23 years and retired as a Master Sergeant in the Air Force.

 

That’s part of the reason my office has enthusiastically embraced the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project (VHP), a nationwide initiative dedicated to collecting and preserving firsthand accounts of servicemembers. This unique collection of personal reflections provides the rare opportunity to learn from and appreciate the perspectives of those who have served, encompassing day-to-day life and operations, as well as pivotal moments in American history.

 

I’m honored to be part of this rewarding endeavor, helping lead the effort to promote and expand it in Arkansas.

 

Recently, my office hosted two Veterans History Project Interview Days and Community Trainings – one at the Fayetteville Public Library and another at the Jacksonville Museum of Military History.

 

We were honored to interview nine veterans who shared their stories of service, across multiple branches and decades. Among them was a 93-year-old Navy pilot who flew in the 1950s, a Vietnam War veteran who saw extensive combat in the infantry, and a recently retired Master Sergeant who served in the Arkansas National Guard for 30 years. These accounts, and so many others, are powerful reminders of the sacrifices made in service to our country and are now part of the permanent collection.

 

As part of the event, staff from the Library of Congress led training to equip future participants with the tools necessary to conduct and submit their own interviews. Their message was encouraging and straightforward – preserving history does not require special equipment or professional expertise. With just a phone, a quiet room and a few thoughtful questions, anyone can help a veteran share his or her story. It was exciting to see strong community interest from Arkansans, members of the congressional delegation, local colleges and universities, veteran service organizations, historical societies and law enforcement agencies.

 

My team and I have actively promoted and participated in this program for many years, training more than 1,200 Arkansans while also conducting over 100 veteran interviews ourselves that were submitted to this special collection.

 

If you are a veteran or know someone who would be interested in sharing their story, or if your organization is interested in hosting a Veterans History Project event, please contact my office. Together we can help ensure the stories of Arkansas veterans are heard, honored and remembered for generations to come.

 

For more information about the Veterans History Project, visit my website or the Library of Congress’s website.