The following is a statement from Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09):
“Our veterans have served this nation bravely and heroically. We owe these men and women an enormous debt of gratitude and respect. On August 31st, my office had the honor of hosting our first Veterans History Project (VHP) event at the Nisei Veterans Center in Seattle. The VHP’s mission is to collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal accounts of American veterans so that future generations may hear directly from former servicemembers and better understand their unique stories, and selfless sacrifice. Nisei Veterans have contributed to our region’s history, and continue to play a critical role in educating future generations on the history of our country. The rich history of the Nisei Veterans provided a welcoming and inspiring space for those participating and sharing their stories. The VHP event was also made possible with the generosity of cadets from the local Civil Air Patrol squadron, who volunteered to assist in conducting interviews throughout the day’s event, as well as members of senior leadership from the Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee.
At the event, I had the privilege to speak about the significance of our veteran’s service, as well as the importance of future generations being offered this unique opportunity to learn from these very personal stories. The event showcased a presentation of previously recorded oral histories from Ret. General Peter Chiarelli and Ret. Major General Tim Lowenberg, both Northwest natives and national veteran leaders in the Puget Sound region. The diverse ages and backgrounds of the veterans who participated in the VHP will provide a powerful contribution to the permanent collections of the Library of Congress – one that is truly reflective of our region’s diverse history.”