A community reception was held for local veterans Saturday at the American Legion, hosted by the Emporia Public Library.
The event included feedback from a recent project being undertaken by the library and Humanities Kansas called Remembering Vietnam. The library is collecting oral histories from those who experienced it firsthand. Public Services Librarian Molly Chenault says they’re off to a good start.
While particularly interested in stories from veterans, the library will also take stories from spouses and family members on the other side. The stories that are collected will be turned over to the Library of Congress and Chenault says they will be accessible a variety of ways.
The reception was the kickoff of the library’s programming for the grant. Still to come on Oct. 6 is a book discussion on Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried.” On Nov. 3 there will be a panel discussion of local veterans as well leading up to All Veterans Week festivities in Emporia. More information is available at emporialibrary.org.
Quilts of Gratitude are currently on display at the Emporia Public Library. Photos courtesy Molly Chenault.
