CALHOUN COMMUNITY CAN PRESERVE WW II HISTORY

(12/26/2006)
  The Fairmont State campus community is participating in a nationwide effort to preserve the stories of World War II veterans and wartime civilians.

Calhoun's WW II vets are encouraged to participate in the project, according to Erin Smith, a student at Fairmont State and Calhoun resident.

The WW II Veterans History Project collects stories from veterans and civilians who served during the war.

Through oral interviews, war-time correspondence and visual materials such as scrapbooks, these individuals share memories of their experiences.

The interviews and any artifacts donated will be stored in the Library of Congress Archives, as well as in the Ruth Ann Musick Library at Fairmont State.

Smith says the veterans or wartime civilians also receive copies of their interviews.

FS students, faculty and staff comprise a "service learning community" to collect as many of these stories as possible through the recording of oral histories. West Virginia has the highest number of veterans per capita: 202,000.

Dr. Nancy McClure, Director of the Fairmont State Foundation Center for Teaching Excellence, is spearheading the FS campus efforts. Erin Smith and other Calhoun volunteers are bringing the project to our own community.

"The importance of this project cannot be overstated," said Smith.

A day of interviewing to be held in Calhoun is being planned.

More information about this event will follow.

Those interested in being interviewed, conducting interviews, or learning more about the project can contact Erin Smith at (304) 365-1764, or erin.smith@fairmontstate.edu or Dr. Nancy McClure at (304) 367-4508, or nmcclure@fairmontstate.edu

Complete the printable form provided and mail to:
Erin Smith
582 S. Calhoun Hwy
Grantsville, WV 26147

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