Record Their Stories

Great ideas - visiting the museum and recording stories.

What a wonderful idea! My Uncle was in the Vietnam war but will not talk about.

Miz Jennifer - many of the Viet Nam vets will not talk much about it. My own brother was there on two tours, has Agent Orange and will only talk about his experiences while in Germany - not Viet Nam. Thank you Miz Diana.

Mariana, my brother has always been so closed about his Vietnam experience, and so wounded by it. He is more open now that his son is serving, and you have inspired me to press a bit again to perhaps learn more.

Miz Debbie,my suggestion is to get him to talk about his experiences before Viet Nam - was he at Fort Polk, Fort Bragg? Where was he stationed? Start off that way. Ask him if he has any buddies he'd like to find as you are now on Gather and you never know who might be reading. Don't mention Viet Nam - in time, he'll realize that talking about it may help a bit but don't push him. Thanks for dropping by. Salud.

Though 5 brothers in my father's family all went to war and managed to come home...not one of them are alive today for me to record...sad but true.

I have had the same experience as some of the others in regard to Vietnam. My friends of that era (my age) clam up about their experiences there. Some of them seem to have never recovered.

My father received the Purple Heart in WWII. He was a sniper, and talked very little about it. He served in the Philippines and cleared out caves. After he was injured he was in the men's chorus on tour for the USO show. He was deeply troubled by the whole experience, and I could not get him to share anything about it except his experiences as a cook. I remember finding an army cookbook of his as a child. One recipe called for 50 pounds of potatoes.

To those of you who've had fathers or grandfathers in World War One - please check out the Camp Cody link. My dad was there in 1914. It's in New Mexico near Deming. My friend Michael Kromeke has put together a wonderful website filled with photographs and wants more. Thank you. Salud.

Miz Sue D. Yes, I always recommend just letting them talk about what they want - bring up things that you know you've heard them speak of before. I'm glad you got him to talk about his experiences as a cook. 50 pounds of potatoes! wow...thanks so much for sharing that with us!

Miz Clare - I know what you mean. I know many myself. Salud.

Mariana~ My dad served in The Korean War and my brother served in Viet Nam!!! My brother never talked about it either...now he's overseas again!!! He's a granddad again too!!!

Mariana,
my uncle Fridolin served on WWII on the German side.
Some information about him is to be found
here.

My Daddy is a WWII Navy Vet. He served his country and was on layover in Hawaii when the a-bomb was dropped. His next stop would have been Japan if they wouldn't have surrendered when they did..

As you know, my family is full of veterans but my own personal veteran, my husband served in world war 11 very galantly and bravely and will always live in my heart. A son also served in the Vietnam era war.

i'd love to go there. wow!! so smart, to record the stories. i need to record my MIL - she's 89, and used to see duke ellington at clubs in nyc, back in the day!

Hi Miz Amelie - I highly recommend that anyone reading these stories please go out and get at least a tape recorder - or video camera though those are a bit intimidating...and start not just asking questions but revealing things you know about the subject at hand - no matter what it may be - and believe me, the person you're talking to will want to talk more about his/her experiences - you can guarantee it - don't ask direct questions, that's confusing in many cases and throws folks off their train of thought. Also, even if they deter from the subject, just let them talk about whatever they want to - don't interrupt. You might even learn some things you never dreamed you'd hear. Salud.

I have recoreded stories from my family according to how they grew up, but I never thought on going outside the family and recording war stories, great idea. Our son loves history and is quite a war buff, so he would enjoy this as well.

I haven't been to the WWII museum as of yet, but I do hope to get there soon.

The only vets I know are Vietnam vets and they don't want to talk about it!

Nice suggestion Mariana. I will have to talk to my sisters about their memories of what my father told them. He always told stories about WWII.

Miz Vicky - I love the fact that your rose grew - it was your dad - that's beautiful. Going to your site now. Salud.

In the last few years, my dad has been more willing to speak of his time in occupied Japan, just after their surrender. When I am with him now, I hear some of the same stories, but with a few new details added. It is fascinating to know I have lived my life around this man and there is still so much about him that I do not know.

A few years ago, my ex recorded his dad telling about his military experiences during WWII. A few months later, his father died of cancer.

It is now the fondest souvenier/memory the family has of their father because it has his VOICE, which no picture can reproduce.

greetings again folks: It's my opinion that Nature preserves the areas of the brain that hold on to memories that must be passed down. Yes, some of us get Alzheimer's or a bit of dementia; however, many won't forget things that they want to pass down to the next generation. Please listen to what they have to say. It is the primal way of passing down stories so that you may know more about them as well as the history and times they lived. Thank you for all your comments.
Miz Elisha - Many folks have told me that after I've encouraged them to record - not just military experiences, but their grandmother's talking about living without electricity, outdoor toilets, etc. I believe it is a beautiful thing to listen to the voice of one who has gone beyond. They are again with us...

Robb - I hope you record your father. You don't have to put the recorder in full view but as time goes on, he will talk more and more and this is very important to him and of course to you and your family.

Miz Vicky, you have such a treasure trove of memories of your dear father. Many blessings thank you so much. It made me cry. Salud.
Thank you. Salud.

Wonderful ideas Marianna.

Super idea, Mariana! 10!