By Betsy Thorpe

The American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress is partnering with the Nashville Room of the Nashville Public Library to collect taped oral histories and documents, such as maps, photographs and letters, from Nashville's wartime veterans for the Veterans History Project. Linda Barnickel, Nashville coordinator of the Veterans History Project is seeking Vietnam era Veterans to participate in this project. She is also currently collecting stories from civilians working on the homefront (USO, Red Cross, Salvation Army, clergy, defense industry workers, media and small business owners) to support the troops and conflict during WWII.

Ms. Barnickel began interviewing for the Veterans History Project in 2002. She has so far documented the stories of Nashville's World War I, World War II and Korean War Veterans. In the future, Nashville's veterans of The Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq will be interviewed. Bellevue resident and writer Patricia Knapp a former W.A.V.E. (Women Accepted for Voluntary Enlistment) was interviewed for the project. She served during the World War II and the Korean War first as a flight attendant, flying from Seattle to the Aleutian Islands and from Seattle to California and then as a secretary. Ms. Knapp tried to enlist at 18 after graduating high school, but was told she had to be 20 years old and weigh one hundred pounds. She was able to gain the 10 pounds she needed by the time she turned 20. She enlisted in August 1944 and left service in July 1951. She thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Veterans History Project and donated her writings from her time as a W.A.V.E. to the project. Another Bellevue resident Jack Spence, a Vietnam War Marine officer, enlisted during the Korean War and became what is known as a "Mustang Officer," advancing through the ranks from Private to Major. He will not only share his Viet Nam experiences with the Veterans History Project, but military maps as well.

On September 15th at 10 am, excerpts from Ken Burns's documentary "The War" will be shown in the auditorium at the Main Library. Also Veterans History Project Stories collected from Nashville's World War II Veterans will be shared. A reception will follow at noon. Admission is free. "The War" a seven episode, documentary will premier at 7 pm on September 23rd on NPT. "The War" explores the affect World War II had on four U. S. cities (Waterbury, Connecticut; Sacramento, California; Mobile, Alabama; and Luverne, Minnesota).

If you are a Vietnam era Veteran or were involved in World War II homefront service, and would like to be part of the Veterans History Project, please contact Linda Barnickel at 862-5804 ext. 6055. Information gathered from this project will give future historians, researchers, and writers an understanding of the unique circumstances surrounding each conflict and a window into the minds of those involved and affected.