Textbooks struggle to keep up with the challenges of 21st century warfare. This archive brings the cadets’ education up to the moment, allowing those returning from Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere to prepare those who will follow.
A Center for Oral History allows cadets and the general public the opportunity to hear first hand the experiences of soldiers from World War II forward. It also creates an historical record where one has not yet existed.
Finally, through film and publishing projects established in partnership with some of the most creative journalists, filmmakers and historians working today, this project will help close the gap of understanding that has long hindered public discussion.
Visit the web site here.
4 comments:
Thanks so much for posting on this Darren. This looks GREAT. I've added the site to my social bookmarks for oral history.
I wish that my Dad had had the chance to tell his stories about WWII. He told us very little, but I can only imagine what a 19 year old, who due to his one year in college was placed in charge of the PX and of seasoned vets during the Occupation of Japan had some stories to tell. He did tell us about the snipers taking out sentries and how guys bartered to avoid that job. He did tell us how a vet who had been on the Saipan Death March would wake up in the middle of the night thinking my Dad was a Japanese soldier and try to kill him. And those are the stories he told us. I can't even imagine what he kept inside. And as these brave men pass on, current rabblerousers have no idea what was sacrificed for their freedom. My only regret is that since Westpoint is doing this, the mainstream liberal universities will dismiss the entries given. And that is truly sad.
It worries me that Ken Burns is involved. He has a way of shaping the message to suit his agenda. It seems that according to his documentaries, very little good was accomplished by anyone who was descendant from European background. Just my observation...
Darren, this seems like experienced professionals shifting gears to be educators in their field -- a trend that sounds like an excellent option for every field.
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