Secretary of State Jesse White Hosts “Preserving Their Memories”

A Celebration of the Illinois Veterans’ History Project

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White hosted a ceremony in Springfield commemorating the success of the Illinois Veterans’ History Project. White initiated the project in 2005 to provide a permanent database of information from Illinois war veterans, their families and civilians to document their wartime experiences.

“Today, I am proud to acknowledge the more than 6,500 people who have submitted their stories to the project,” said White. “The Illinois Veterans’ History Project provides an eternal place to honor our country and our veterans, and serves as a reminder of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

White served as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army, a member of the Illinois National Guard and a reservist. Last year, White recorded an oral history interview of his own memories to be added to the Veterans’ History Project, available on the project’s YoutTube channel.

The ceremony also recognized an ongoing partnership between the Veterans’ History Project, the Department of Illinois Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Illinois Court Reporters Association. The DAV arranged for numerous veterans to be interviewed. Volunteer court reporters transcribed the interviews.

“With the use of technology, my office has been able to share over 130 personal history videos via the Internet,” said White. “It is my hope that their contributions will live on and their experiences will not be forgotten.”

Approximately 90 vets and 6 court reporters attended the ceremony. White recognized Erica Borggren, director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Deborah Cohen-Rojas, Illinois Court Reporters Association and Eric Huckaby with the Department of Illinois DAV, for their members’ contributions to the success of the Veterans’ History Project.

Also taking part in the ceremony were members of the Macon County Honor Guard and the Glenwood High School Titan Fever Show Choir from Chatham.

For more information about the Illinois Veterans’ History Project, visit http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/public/veteransproject.html. Interviews and written stories are stored in the Illinois Digital Archives at www.idaillinois.org. To view the oral history interviews, visit the Illinois Veterans’ History Project YouTube channel.