Why the Veterans History Project Matters

Veterans Day began as a holiday to celebrate the Armistice that ended the War to End All Wars. Of course, we know now that, although the fighting stopped at 11AM on November 11th, 1918, it was far from the end of all wars.

In the USA, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day by President Dwight D. Eisenhower after WWII. Today, it honors all American Veterans from all conflicts. It is a day when we can honor the patriotism embodied in the veteran experience.

For our part, members of the Veterans History Project team have taken today to describe why this project matters to them:

“The Veterans History Project is a very important collection because it brings together the individual stories of many veterans from Connecticut. Each story is very important and tells of the great service to our country that these men and women provided. Each of these men and women served our country and are true heroes. It is great to have these interviews available for the students, faculty, and staff at CCSU.”

Carl A. Antonucci, Jr., MS, Ph.D.
Director of Library Services

“Oral histories enhance knowledge of the past, providing rich details and anecdotes that traditional historical sources may leave out. The CCSU Veterans History Project is an invaluable source of the history of our very own Connecticut Veterans, giving us a glimpse into the experiences of local heroes from many conflicts. To me, this project ensures that their voices will never be forgotten, and they will continue to teach us about our nation’s past for generations to come.”

Jillian Maynard, MA, MLIS
Reference & Instruction Librarian

“History can often seem very abstract and distant. These oral history interviews, as well as the photographs and the documents that veterans share to accompany their interviews, make history much more real. It lets me appreciate that these were everyday human beings who had these experiences. It’s a great privilege to meet these veterans and share their stories with a wider audience of students, scholars, and community members.”

Brian Matzke, MS, Ph.D.
Digital Humanities Librarian

“This doesn’t happen all the time, but sometimes I finish listening to an interview and I’m surprised to find myself shaken up. This is what makes the Veterans History Project powerful: it can share a memory and show it to be a part of someone’s life, something more than just history. With each new story I hear, I’m increasingly grateful for the service of these men and women, and at the same time – pointless, I know – I regret that any of it was ever necessary.”

Peter Moran
Graduate Assistant

If you haven’t already, please take a look for yourself at the collection or skip straight to the interviews.

When you’ve had a look around, let us know why the Veterans History Project matters to you.