Recordings preserve World War II memories

Dick Doyle

Tuesday, June 16, 2009 | 6:21 p.m.

Dick Doyle

Several years ago, I got involved in one of the most heart-rending projects I've faced in more than 40 years of volunteering.

A national effort by AARP was under way, in cooperation with the Library of Congress, to gather information from veterans of World War II.

Not information about the war, mind you. Information about their feelings, their friends or some reminiscences — just non-war stuff in general.

The plan was to sit down with your dad, your grandpa or your uncle — anyone with whom you would feel comfortable.

It would be you, your beloved veteran and a tape recorder. What would you talk about if not war?

How about the food? What happened at mail call? How did you get new boots if you needed them? Where were you stationed? How did you get cigarettes, soap or chewing gum?

AARP collected thousands of stories, which now reside in the Archives of the United States in the Library of Congress. I spoke with dozens of friends, many of whom didn't want to talk until we had several plain and simple conversations.

Among the tapes is a large notebook with many handwritten pages and drawings gathered several years ago by the journalism students at Las Vegas High School.

Much has been written about the efforts of these youngsters to get their relatives' stories on tape. I am sure both questioner and respondent felt so much love after they exchanged thoughts.

This all came back to me after I read recently that Gen. George Patton's son, also a general, lost all his war records in a fire several years ago. His son had spent six years in carefully measured sessions, taping conversations with his father about his war experiences and those of his grandfather.

Most World War II veterans will go to their graves with their stories untold. That is not the way it should be.

There would no better a gift for a teenager than a tape recorder (yep, the old fashioned kind. They can make a CD later) and the tapes to record their family's history. Forget about announcer-quality recording. It's the words that count. If there isn't a veteran in the family, what an opportunity still to pass down some wisdom.

Information about sending a recorded history to the Library of Congress is available at www.loc.gov.

You will have helped save the past for the future.

Dick Doyle, a community volunteer and former newspaper editor, is a columnist for the Home News. He can be reached c/o the Home News, 2275 Corporate Circle, Third Floor, Henderson, NV 89074; by fax at 434-3527 or e-mail at editor@hbcpub.com.