MOLINE, IL -- In October, more than 30 "Stories of Service" were collected at eight locations across the Quad Cities by WQPT at Western Illinois University as a part of the station's "Embracing Our Military" initiative, and today (Nov. 18) those stories were delivered to the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project by Congressman Dave Loebsack and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos in a ceremony attended by Paula Kerger, PBS president and CEO.
"WQPT's 'Stories of Service' is a wonderful collaboration between public television staff and local agencies, including libraries, veterans service providers and retirement communities. WQPT's staff created a thoughtful model which included easy-to-use recording equipment and community volunteers to preserve stories for future generations," Susan Eleuterio, Veterans History Project trainer on behalf of the Oral History Association and the American Folklore Society, which are partners with the Veterans History Project.
Twenty volunteers and 10 staff members collected stories from veterans of World War II and Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan at WQPT-Quad Cities PBS at Western Illinois University, the Center for Active Seniors (CASI), Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Moline Public Library, St. Ambrose University, UnityPoint Health-Trinity and WVIK.
"We are thrilled that our representatives have presented these stories to the Library of Congress and we are proud of the impact that our 'Embracing Our Military' initiative has had on our veteran community," said Mary Pruess, WQPT general manager.
More information about "Embracing Our Military" and "Stories of Service" can be found at wqpt.org.
