The 4th of July is about celebrating our freedoms and remembering just how we were able to win and defend them. To me, the 4th of July is represented in the symbols of our freedom, the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem, and Old Glory, moreover the first-hand stories and memories of the men and women who fought to defend those symbols and our Nation.

Last weekend, while reading a local newspaper, I stumbled upon a story about Ken Burns’ latest film which relies on first-hand accounts of WWII service, helping everyone remember and better understand history from the eyes of the men and women who were there. Ken Burns’ “The War“, will air on PBS stations beginning September 23. All of the film’s onscreen participants are veterans of World War II, supporting civilian workers, or their relatives.

(Watch the teaser trailer)

“Ken Burns and PBS see the film as sparking a national effort in which individual citizens will interview veterans for their first-hand accounts of wartime service. Ken Burns and PBS have asked the Veterans History Project, which has been collecting stories of wartime service since its creation in 2000, to be the repository for those accounts…. Throughout 2007, PBS stations all over the country will be initiating outreach programs designed to raise awareness of World War II and the need for its veterans and civilian workers to tell their stories for the record.”

To help collect and preserve these memories (audio, video, letters, pictures, interviews) as a piece of history from your friends and family you can participate here.

The Veterans History Project primary focus is on first-hand accounts of U.S. Veterans from the following wars:

In addition, those U.S. citizen civilians who were actively involved in supporting war efforts (such as war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, etc.) are also invited to share their valuable stories.

These types of stories and first-hand accounts help us, through the eyes of participants, learn the price of freedom providing true meaning every time we sing the Star Spangled Banner, pledge our allegiance, and defend the stars and stripes.

Happy 4th of July!

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