Right after I was interviewed by Gretchen Carlson on FOX News earlier this month, I received dozens of emails from people who wanted to share their father’s story of service, or their sibling’s, or even their neighbor’s. I love reading these very meaningful emails and can easily relate to how precious this contribution is to loved ones everywhere. I had been at a loss about how to reply, only because RMS first begins working with a Unit—not individuals—and then we include as many personal stories as possible as they relate to that particular Unit. The only thing I could pass along was that they should contact the Library of Congress.
Well, it turns out I was on the right track. A couple of weeks ago, Bob Patrick and Monica Mohindra with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP) invited me to discuss how we can help each other accomplish our respective missions—one primarily focused on the long-form individual stories and memorabilia (LOC), and one primarily focused on the accomplishments of the Unit and its members (RMS).
One of the first things we will be doing is to help spread the word that your story of service is very much wanted and needed. They just sent us about 10,000 VHP bookmarks to include in our next big batch of DVD-ROMs and journals heading out the door, which will most likely be going to Alabama, New Jersey, and Guam National Guards. VHP is an incredible program that is bringing together into one place all these priceless experiences that collectively tell America’s proud story of service, and the price we have paid for freedom. Please share this information with those whose story should be in the Library of Congress!
Sharlene