News

Dalton State hosts Veterans History Project reception

06/02/22

Veterans, faculty and staff gathered in Dalton State’s Derrell C. Roberts Library to celebrate the launch of the Veterans History Project at Dalton State. The project collects, preserves and makes accessible personal accounts of American War Veterans spanning from World War I to the present day.

Bandy Heritage Center and Derrell C. Roberts Library have partnered with the Library of Congress and the 14th Congressional office to serve as an interview and repository site. Veterans from the 14th Congressional district are invited to share their stories.

“The partnership for the Veterans History Project between the Library of Congress, 14th Congressional office and Dalton State began almost three years ago,” said Vallarie Pratt, director of government and alumni relations. “However, due to the pandemic, the interviews were delayed for more than two years.”

Originally meant to occur in March of 2020, the event was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the 14th Congressional Office and Dalton State have worked to bring this event to fruition and provide veterans a space to donate their stories to the largest archive of its kind.

“It was bittersweet to finally host the first round of interviews since our community had lost several of the veterans initially scheduled to participate. But those losses exemplify why this project is so important, and we must capture these stories for future generations,” said Pratt. “It was truly a joy to meet the veterans who participated Thursday, and I hope they share their experience to encourage more participation."

Veterans who want to share their story through the Veterans History Project can contact Adam Ware, director of the Bandy Heritage Center, at aware@daltonstate.edu.