The Veterans History Project, created through an act of Congress in 2000, invites veterans from conflicts ranging from World War I to the Iraq war to share their story through audio or visual interviews, memoirs or photographic documentation for archival with the Library of Congress. Rep. Denham and his staff have recorded stories from 12 Central Valley veterans, with excerpts from 11 shared on Rep. Denham’s Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages as part of his Thank-a-Vet Thursday (#TVT) initiative. The 12th preview video will be released as a #TVT video this week.“These proud veterans’ have shared their patriotic stories with the rest of the world. They are a reminder to a grateful nation that promises made to our veterans must be kept,” said Rep. Denham. “Veteran health care, education and work opportunities are just a few of the issues that Congress must continue to focus on.”
To view a Facebook live of the event, please click here.
Rep. Denham’s #TVT social media initiative aims to increase awareness of the sacrifices and good works of veterans in our communities and to thank them for their service. He invites and encourages others at home in California and here in Washington to join him in using #TVT to thank our nation’s veterans and raise awareness of the great history of our nation’s armed services and service members.
To view Rep. Denham’s #TVT tributes, please follow the links below. More information about each veteran can be found in the video’s description on YouTube.
· Ninety-three-year-old World War II Veteran Robert Allenby recounts his time in “A-school” and his first assignment to a secret squadron working on radio controlled drones.
· Former Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Walt Butler recounts his early days in the Navy and his Basic Training experience over his winter break as a senior in High School. He later served in combat during the Vietnam War.
· Former Seaman Sandy Placencia describes building the newly-authorized rockets aboard the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
· Retired U.S. Army Captain Sue Max recounts her struggle to reintegrate into civilian life after returning from service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
· Retired Rear Admiral and almond farmer Mike Seward recounts his arrival in Somalia as part of Operation Restore Hope with the U.S. Coast Guard.
· Veteran Al Menshew remembers hearing the U.S. was at war. He shipped out to Korea for six months shortly after.
· Retired U.S. Army Specialist and Afghanistan combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient Jack Griffith shares his pride for his country and offers advice to future generations.
· Vietnam veteran and purple heart recipient Ron Cruz shares the ‘Welcome Home’ plaque given to him by his wife.
· Marine Jerry Macias, a Vietnam War veteran, remembers using what he could find on the ground to help him see movement in the pitch black of night. Jerry later was awarded a Navy Commendation Medal for putting his life on the line to help a squad of Marines overtake enemy guns.
· Larry “Butch” Teague, a Purple Heart recipient, shares photos and recounts his arrival in Vietnam as a marine at age 18.
· Roy Lee Haury, a Korean War combat veteran, recounts his introduction to night vision while deployed and Rep. Denham presenting him with his brother’s missing Purple Heart at the World War II memorial during an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Haury’s brother, Marvin, died in World War II.
Source: Congressman Jeff Denham
