Court reporters, attorneys record veterans' stories in Lake County
On Nov. 12, 26 veterans participated in the Veterans History Project at the Lake County Courthouse. The Veterans History Project gathers the oral histories of veterans, which are given in response to questions by volunteer attorneys and recorded by court reporters.
The typed transcripts are archived at the Library of Congress, making accessible the personal accounts of American veterans for future generations to hear the stories directly from the soldiers. This year's group included members of the United States Air Force, the United States Army, the United States Marines, and the United States Navy who were involved in conflicts dating back to World War II.
"The events that these men and women have witnessed firsthand, and the memories of their brothers and sisters in arms need to be preserved for future generations," said Chief Judge Jay W. Ukena.
One of the veterans who participated in the project was Staff Sergeant Albert Mampre, the last surviving medic from the Band of Brothers, Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army during World War II. Mampre is the recipient of two Purple Hearts.
"When the war was over, I came home and went back to college. The war part was just an era of my life. We didn't talk about the war. We had two missions: get the war over and make sure it didn't happen again," he said when asked what it was like to go through the deadliest military conflict in history and resume life after.
The Lake County Veterans History Project is supported by resources from many community organizations and individuals, including volunteers on what would otherwise be a court holiday. The event began with a breakfast reception, donated and served to the veterans and their families by the Tri-County Marine Corps League and many other sponsors. Court reporters from Lake County, other courthouses, and from the private sector donated their time to attend and transcribe the wartime experiences. And lawyers from Lake County, including several veterans, also volunteered to serve as interviewers.
The event was chaired by three of the 19th Judicial Circuit's judges who are also veterans: Michael Betar, United States Marine Corps.; Michael Fusz, United States Navy; and John Scully, United States Navy.
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