Carmel resident Tanner Horrocks wants to help preserve veterans’ stories while also completing his Eagle Scout project for Boy Scout Troop 2061.
A Scout leader told him about the Veterans History Project, a program that preserves veterans’ stories through video interviews so future generations can understand the effects and realities of war.
“Back in 2000, Congress decided it would be legal under the right paperwork that citizens could interview veterans and then send in those interviews to the Library of Congress,” said Horrocks, a Carmel High School sophomore.
His goal is to interview at least 20 veterans. He is hosting an open call for veterans to share their stories from noon to 5 p.m. April 14 at 11257 Temple Dr. in Carmel. The local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chartered Boy Scout Troop 2061.
The Veterans History Project has specific guidelines for interview questions. Horrocks is seeking volunteers to assist in interviewing.
“The interview will start off with name, age and what part of the military they served. Most of it will be about their experiences and their feelings while they were serving,” Horrocks said.
When the interviews are completed, Horrocks will send the finished paperwork to the Library of Congress. He said the project is an important way for young people to learn from an older generation.
“I feel like we don’t learn from the past as much as we say should,” Horrocks said. “This would be a chance to do that and give back.”
Volunteers and veterans are still needed. To sign up, visit veteranhistory.weebly.com.
