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The project recently traveled to Kalispell where a number of veterans from different branches of service shared their stories.
Episode 3268 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the recent Veteran History Project event in Kalispell, MT. The featured story is titled: Flathead veterans share service stories for Veterans History Project. It appeared on Channel 8 KPAX and was submitted by Sean Wells.
Wells reported that The Veterans History Project, part of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center, continues its important mission of preserving the firsthand stories of America’s veterans. Collecting oral histories, memoirs, photographs, letters, diaries, and artwork from veterans of every conflict since World War I, the project ensures these experiences will never be forgotten. During a recent stop in Kalispell, Montana, veterans from multiple branches of service shared deeply personal accounts of sacrifice, duty, and patriotism.
Among them was Vietnam veteran John Wise, a Native American descended from the Pawnee and Ute tribes. Wise reflected on the urgency of preserving the stories of Vietnam veterans as thousands pass away each day. He spoke proudly about serving his country while honoring his Native American heritage, emphasizing that Native Americans have long answered the call to serve at exceptionally high rates. Veterans History Project liaison specialist Andrew Hubert explained that Native American veterans remain underrepresented in the archive, making efforts like these even more meaningful.
The project also highlighted the experiences of modern veterans like Blake Thompson, who served on five Middle East deployments. Thompson acknowledged how difficult sharing military experiences can be, but stressed the importance of helping civilians better understand the realities veterans face. Through these collected stories, the Veterans History Project creates a lasting educational resource that honors courage, preserves history, and ensures future generations understand the sacrifices made by America’s veterans.
Listen to Episode 3268 and discover more about the recent Veteran History Project event in Kalispell, MT.
