I’m happy to let you know that there is a new effort to encourage Illinois military veterans to share their stories, photos and mementos for future generations. This initiative is part of the Illinois History Project in conjunction with the Library of Congress.
The Illinois Veterans History Project is a statewide initiative that collects, preserves, and makes accessible first-hand recollections of veterans and civilians who served the five military branches. Please help spread the word so interested veterans and their families will submit their stories and mementos.
It is only fitting to commemorate the brave Americans who have served our country and to shine a light on veteran voices and serves as a permanent record for Illinois veterans to memorialize their experiences and contributions to ensure they are not forgotten.
Submitted materials will be digitized by the Secretary of State’s office and make them available online.
To submit an entry, visit www.ilsos.gov/veteranshistoryproject and complete and fill out an Illinois Patriot Information Form to the Illinois State Library. Completed forms can be submitted electronically to ilvhp@ilsos.gov or by mail to the Illinois State Library, 300 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701−1796.
For more information about the Illinois Veterans History Project, call (800) 665-5576 – ext. 4, email ilvhp@ilsos.gov or visit the website at www.ilsos.gov/veteranshistoryproject.
The public can visit www.idaillinois.org and search Veterans History Project to view submissions, which can be searched by name, war and hometown of veterans who have submitted materials. Oral history interviews are also available on the project’s YouTube page at youtube.com/user/ilveteransproject.