Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710
FAX (215) 567-7850
Contact: Communications and Development
Veterans History Project Salutes Philadelphia-Area Vets
What: Veterans History Project comes to Philadelphia to salute local veterans
Who: Dr. James H. Billington, (Librarian of Congress), Bob Patrick (Director of the Veterans History Project), retired Lieutenant General Julius W. Becton, Tom Wiener (Veterans History Project historian and author), General Donald L. Scott (Deputy Librarian of Congress), and Elliot Shelkrot (President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia).
When: Saturday, January 7, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. – Noon
Where: Central Library, Montgomery Auditorium
Why: The Veterans History Project (VHP) of the Library of Congress has invited its partner, the Free Library of Philadelphia, to host a ceremony and reception that honors veterans from World War I to the current Iraq War. The event will draw veterans, VHP partners, students, and interested citizens who want to salute the sacrifices and experience of these veterans as well as learn more about the Project and meet the leaders of this national effort.
The event begins with remarks by Dr. James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress and Elliot Shelkrot, President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia. A VHP video presentation will follow, with project updates by Bob Patrick, Director of the Veterans History Project. Retired Lieutenant General Julius W. Becton will be interviewed about his experiences in the Vietnam War and joins Tom Wiener, VHP historian and author, in a Q&A. The program finishes with an awards ceremony where General Donald L. Scott, Deputy Librarian of Congress, will recognize the contributions of Philadelphia-area veterans and VHP participants. A reception concludes the festivities.
What is the Veterans History Project?
The Veterans History Project was created by the United States Congress on October 27, 2000 to collect and preserve the personal narratives, correspondence, and visual memories accrued by veterans and U.S. civilians who supported wartime efforts. VHP volunteers are currently collecting first-hand accounts of participants of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, and the current Afghanistan and Iraq Wars.
12/30/2005
Department of External Affairs, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710, FAX (215) 567-7850