What happens to history when those who lived it
can no longer tell their stories?
   Of the 16,112,566 Americans who served in World War II, fewer than 2.5 million remain alive today. Statistically, we are losing 852 of these brave and honorable men and women every day. As we move toward the day when not a single WWII participant remains alive to tell his or her story, we will lose a large part of our culture and the first hand experiences of what has been deemed the Greatest Generation. Who can doubt that this loss will be extremely profound. As the generation passes on, so does the living memory of a world calamity that claimed 60 million lives.


   The Lehigh Valley Veterans History Project Roundtable was formed to capture the stories of ALL war time American veterans; WWII, the wars in Korea, Viet Nam, the Persian Gulf and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our primary mission is to collect, document and preserve the personal experiences of U.S. wartime veterans, as well as home front workers and volunteers who supported the war effort. Our objective is to honor their service and share their stories with current and future generations, historians and equally important, the veteran’s family members.

   Veterans stories can be documented via an in-home video recorded interview or a taped presentation at a monthly public meeting. The Lehigh Valley Veterans History Project Roundtable works in conjunction with the National Veterans History Project which is sponsored by the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. All video taped interviews, public or private, are submitted to the Library of Congress which are then carefully stored and maintained in keeping with professional archival practices. This material is made available at the Library of Congress, and eventually on line, for use by researchers, educators, historians and family members. Biographical and service information can be viewed on the Library of Congress website; www.loc.gov/vets.

   Moreover, arrangements can also be made to register WWII veteran’s name, wartime photograph, decorations and theatre(s) of operation at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

   If you are interested in a private interview or perhaps sharing your story at one of our monthly meetings of the Lehigh Valley Veterans History Project Roundtable, or simply want more information, please contact us. All services provided to veterans are at no expense to the veteran or their family.