The 11th day of the 11th month at the 11 hour… The armistice between the Allied Nations and Germany at the close of World War I became known as Armistice Day in 1919 and a legal holiday in the United States nearly 20 years later. Now known as Veterans Day, Nov. 11 is the day when we honor and thank all the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. One way we can honor our veterans for their service is through the gift of listening, particularly to the stories of our older veterans. The Veterans History Project (a project of the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress) “collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.” As you gather with family and friends over the next few months for holiday celebrations, consider how you can help your loved ones tell their stories.
