Veterans History Project

Remembering the Events That Changed the World

"I don't have much to talk about. All I did was forecast the weather," said Frederick Adams of Cary, NC when asked if he wanted to talk about his time in the military.

But as he began to talk about his experience, it quickly became evident that what he had done was far more important than let people know whether or not they should carry an umbrella.

The weather Adams was forecasting was for the atomic bomb testing.

Those two years - 1946 to 1948 - that he'd been stationed at the Kwajalein Islands were an important part of history, and the Navy veteran didn't even realize how crucial his part had been until he began to retell the story.

That's what the Veterans History Institute is all about.

Gathering history.

The day-to-day existence and experiences of veterans - however seemingly small their individual parts - has had a tremendous impact on our nation's success.

"There's a tremendous amount of interest in WWII in today's society," said Dave Milidonis, founder of the Veterans History Institute (NVHAI).   "There's even a course on remembering WWII at NC State, for students aged 50 and older. And what we're gathering is an incredibly valuable part of all that history and more - one story at a time - the real-life experiences of our veterans, no matter where they served."

A network of volunteers across the country conduct interviews designed to help veterans tell their stories, as keepsakes for their families, as well as documented war-time entries for the National Archives in Washington D.C.

Stories From Men and Women Fighting for Freedom - Today and 60 Years Ago

This year, 564 interviews have resulted in stories from every major conflict, and the times in between.

Thirty-four percent of interviews were from WWII, 22% from Vietnam, 14% were stories from those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, 13% from the Cold War, 9% from the Korean War, and 2% of interviewees served in the Persian Gulf War.  The balance served in Grenada, Panama, or "other", which may mean they served during a period without a major conflict. 

"We're really pleased to be a part of the volunteer network offering a comfortable place to talk about experiences," said Stan Williams, CEO of Stanton Homes. "We're proud of what our veterans have accomplished, and we look forward to hearing their stories."

Putting Together Missing Pieces of History - And Recognizing Forgotten Soldiers

In addition to gathering interviews, the NVHAI has gathered thousands of documents to replace those lost in a devastating government warehouse fire in the 1970s - which particularly affects WWII, Korea, and Vietnam veterans.

The names of thousands of veterans have been submitted to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MS, returning these Americans to their rightful place in history. Without this service, these veterans would not have proof of their service, be able to receive medical care, or have burials with the military honors they deserve.

"The veterans always have something meaningful to impart," said Lara Travars, an area communications executive who volunteered at a recent event. "And it's really enlightening to hear the viewpoint of their families, who had to 'hold down the fort back home' while the military member served their country."

Hundreds of Stories That Touch The Heart

Marine Colonel James Wagner served in the first Pacific WWII battle, and talked about how he was shipped to Australia to recuperate. He met his future wife on a blind date. They got married just before he was shipped out, didn't see each other again until the end of the war, and today they've been married for 60 years.  They were interviewed together at Pine Knoll Shores.

"There's a lot of history, there," said Williams. "It's heartwarming to hear how people get through those kinds of times, stay strong in their relationships, and believe so much in what they're doing." 

"There are hundreds of stories like this," said Milidonis. "Each one is unique, and they're all awe inspiring."

For many sons, daughters and spouses, it's the first time they've heard these stories. Others have heard the same topic a hundred times. But when they come to have the interviews conducted, they all have one thing in common - they want to make sure the stories are told.

Opportunity to Tell Your Story

Stanton Homes is hosting an interview opportunity Saturday January 17th, from noon to 4 pm, where veterans and their families are encouraged to come and talk. 

Interviews will be held in the model home at Cattail Creek, just northwest of Pittsboro.  For driving directions, use 1199 White Smith Rd, Pittsboro, NC.  Travel 1.5 miles further north on White Smith Rd.  Cattail Creek is on the right, enter through the second entrance.  Model home is third home on the left, look for signs. 

"That's what the Veterans History Institute and these volunteers are here for," said Williams. "Come on down to Pittsboro this weekend and sit a while. We'd love to hear your story."

Veterans History Institute Open House

Saturday January 17th 12-4pm

For more information, call Dave Milidonis of the NVHAI at 919-449-5440 or Penny Hull of Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 to reserve an interview time, or get directions to this drop-in event. 

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"It wasn't all that exciting."

That's what a lot of veterans say when their families ask them to tell their stories.

"I couldn't possibly talk for more than ten minutes."

Time and again, the veterans insist there isn't much to tell.

But it never takes ten minutes.

It often goes on for hours.

Because once veterans start talking, they remember so many interesting things. The people they met. The places they went. What they saw. What they thought. What they did. What it felt like.

That's what the National Veterans History Archival Institute (NVHAI) is all about.

Providing a venue where veterans tell their stories, so that their families - and the rest of the world - can understand what it was like, what it meant, and what it stands for.

Like an army finance officer who served in Tehran in WWII.  He had never talked about it to his two daughters.

"They were spell-bound," said Dave Milidonis, founder of the Cary, NC based Veterans History Institute. "Every veteran has a fascinating story to tell. Oftentimes, the less they think, at first, they have to talk about, the more interesting their story turns out to be."

What is the Veterans History Institute?

The Veterans History Institute is dedicated to preserving the historical heritage U.S. veterans, hailing from all branches of the service; the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force AND the nation's oldest branch, the U.S. Merchant Marines.  For over 230 years, these brave souls have taught generation after generation of a free people that Freedom is not Free and we have a responsibility never to forget that lesson.

The NVHAI is a dedicated group of volunteers, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to collect, preserve and present the history of our veterans, from both war and peace.

Has the Veterans History Institute Conducted Many Interviews?

The organization conducted an amazing 564 interviews in the first 10 months of 2008, all using a network of local and not-so-local volunteers.

From a nurse who went from ship to ship, never landing anywhere and never actually helping anyone who was hurt, to a navy officer who served in every major theatre between WWII and Korea, every story adds depth to the history of America.

Some veterans come to the NVHAI on their own. They want their story to go down in history, as an important part of American culture. But many times, it's the families who bring in their veterans. Families recognize the value of a story that needs to be told. They may have heard it a hundred times. It may be totally new. But they want it to be heard.

Families Hear Stories for the First Time

"We love it when families come in with the veterans," said Milidonis. "We want to hear their stories, too. It's a part of history that's often overlooked - what the folks back home were going through, when their loved one was serving their country."

As the veterans and their families tell their stories, they often remember things long since forgotten. Some of it sounds dangerous. Some seems miraculous. Some is romantic. And there are even things they laugh about.

"It's so fascinating to see hear these stories coming back," said Milidonis.  "A veteran may think what he or she did isn't all that important. He may see himself as only one of thousands. But in fact, what he sees as a small experience can give new meaning to huge events." 

Storytelling like this provides insight into military activities all over the world.

It's Not Just World War II

Of the 564 stories collected so far, 34% were from WWII, 22% from Vietnam, 14% were stories from those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, 13% from the Cold War, 9% from the Korean War, and 2% of interviewees served in the Persian Gulf War.  The balance served in Grenada, Panama, or "other", which may mean they served during a period without a major conflict. 

Volunteers across the country, including local businesses, help the NVHAI collect these important stories.

"These personal accounts are fascinating," said Stan Williams, CEO of Stanton Homes, a custom home builder in Raleigh, NC that opens its model home to veterans and the NVHAI, for Veterans History Interview events. "We are very pleased to be able to offer a comfortable place to relax and bring out these historical perspectives. It's a real eye-opener about the kind of history textbooks don't usually bring out. Being able to help real people relate real events like this is awe inspiring."

Be a Part of History!

If you or someone you know has a story to tell, Stanton Homes is hosting a Veterans History Interview Open House on Saturday, January 17th, in the Pittsboro, NC area.  Call Dave Milidonis of the NVHAI at 919-449-5440 or Penny Hull of Stanton Homes at 919-278-8070 to reserve an interview time, or get directions to this drop-in event. 

Volunteers will be on hand to videotape stories and make digital copies of any records.  Veterans are encouraged to bring letters, service records, commendations, or any other historical documents with them.

Saturday January 17th 12pm - 4pm

Free Event

Families Welcome!

You may also be interested in:

Green Home Building in the Triangle

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What Is Geothermal?  Geothermal News and Information

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