Contacts: Helen Dalrymple, (202) 707-1940, hdal@loc.gov
Anneliesa Clump Behrend, 202-707-9822, aclump@loc.gov
Web site: http://www.loc.gov/voicesofwar

THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS’ VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT
SALUTES VETERANS THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 8

New Book, VHP Bus, Performances Announced

In four years, the Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center, with support from the U.S. Congress and AARP, has collected more than 23,000 wartime oral history submissions through the Veterans History Project.

This Veterans Day, “Voices of War: Stories of Service From the Home Front and the Front Lines” will be published by National Geographic Books in association with the Library of Congress. A special Web site will serve as an interactive guide to the book, allowing readers to delve more deeply into each collection featured in Voices of War.

A series of special programs to honor veterans and renew the nationwide call for all Americans to record veterans’ wartime stories is planned to accompany the release of the book.

The programs planned for Nov. 8 through Nov. 12 are listed below.

Monday, Nov. 8 – 6 to 7 p.m.
“ Voices of War” Book Party
Great Hall, Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress
10 First St. S.E.

Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) will speak about the Veterans History Project and its first book, “Voices of War.” Veterans and family members of veterans featured in the book who are attending the ceremony include: Ivan Danzig, whose father was Robert Lee Olen of Springfield, Va.; Alvin Dickson of Toledo, Ohio; John Enman of Danville, Pa.; Marion Gurfein of Arlington, Va.; Thomas Hodge, of Springfield, Mass.; Jeanne Urbin and Brian Markle of Frankfort, Ind.; Helen Minor of Haslett, Mich.; Beatrice Restifo, widow of Charles Restifo of Whitelake, Ca.; Warren Tsuneishi of Bethesda, Md.; and Ron Winter of Hebron, Conn. To schedule an interview before the 6 p.m. ceremony, contact Anneliesa Behrend at (202) 707-9822.

Friday, Nov. 12 – 11 a.m. to noon
Unveiling of the VHP Bus, Veterans’ Share their Wartime Memories
In front of the Madison Building, Library of Congress
And in Madison Hall
101 Independence Ave. S.E.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi will unveil a city-size bus at 11 a.m. before it goes on a year-long “tour of duty” in Orlando, Fla. The painted bus is sponsored by LYNX bus system of Central Florida and will run as a public service to raise awareness about the Veterans History Project. The bus will be available for photographs from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. To receive a high resolution image of the bus, call (202) 7079822.

The Veterans History Project staff will record veterans’ stories and explain how everyone can participate in this important national effort from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Madison Hall inside the building. All veterans are welcome to record their stories.

Friday, Nov. 12 – 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
American Place Theatre Premieres “Voices of War: A Vietnam Nurse’s Story”
Coolidge Auditorium, Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress
10 First St. S.E.

Produced by New York’s American Place Theatre and the Veterans History Project, “Voices of War: A Vietnam Nurse’s Journey” is a live performance adapted from the memories of one Vietnam nurse, Rhona Marie Prescott, whose story is also featured in the book “Voices of War.” The Nov. 12 evening will include a special 45-minute performance of Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried,” first published in 1990. A panel discussion with Prescott, author Tim O’Brien and artistic director Wynn Handman will follow the Nov. 12 performance.

Additional performances of “Voices of War” will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 22, and at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov 24 in the Coolidge Auditorium. Learning guides for teachers are available free of charge by calling (202) 707-1071.

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PR 04-196
11-05-04
ISSN 0731-3527