Posted 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, 2024
Reflecting on the Stories and Sacrifices of Those Who Served
Veterans Day orginally known as Armistance Day is a day in which we honor those who served in the United States Armed Forces. While Memorial Day is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives in service to the country, Veterans Day is about honoring all who have served. It recognizes not only those who have made the ultimate sacrifice but also the millions of men and women who have returned home and continued to contribute to society in countless ways. The holiday was cemented as a national holiday when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law in 1954. It is celebrated on November 11 to comemerate the end of World War 1 ending on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Attending a Veterans Day event or parade, thanking a veteran, supporting veterans’ charities, or asking veterans to share their stories are just a couple of ways we can celebrate and honor those who both those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who returned home.
Some of the oral histories we have available here at Murphy Library help with the mission of preserving veterans’ stories. These oral histories are audio recordings of veterans being interviewed about their life experience. These oral histories are important to all; they allow for veterans to share their personal experiences of serving in the military, they are ensuring that their stories are preserved, they allow for the veterans to feel heard and validated, and it helps those non-veterans understand a veteran’s experience on a more personal level.
Listen to a veteran’s story:
- Oral history interview with Edward Wojahn / interviewed by Jason Harelson
- Oral history interview with Rolf Rynning / interviewed by Howard Fredricks
- Oral history interview with George Howe / interviewed by Howard Fredricks
Make sure to thank a veteran.
