Heroes Remember

In honor of Veterans Day, Touring Colorado’s Collections is highlighting Mesa County libraries collection, The Veterans Remember Project, that recently went online.  The Veterans Remember Project is part of the Mesa County Libraries 970West Digital Collection that “visually captures the unique aspects of life in western Colorado.”  The collection includes photographs, videos and artwork.  The library also offers the public access to the 970West Studio, a multimedia production studio and artists in residence space.  The public can reserve the studio space for their own use and they can also take courses on studio related topics.  More information about the studio can be found here.

The collection, The Veterans Remember Project, is an ongoing collecting initiative. This online video oral history collection, produced by the Mesa County Libraries, documents the stories of U.S military veterans who live in Mesa County.  Currently the project includes WWII veteran’s memories and experiences from seven project participates but this will grow as content is added. Each video oral history includes a transcript and biographical information about the participants.  The participants recount their memories and experiences during WWII, including their training, duties, and involvement in significant battles such as the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of the Bulge.  

Of particular note is Annabelle Moss’ interview.  Moss was a member of  W.A.S.P., the Women Airforce Service Pilots, who employed women to fly military aircraft under the direction of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.  Each female pilot of WASP freed a male pilot for combat service and duties.  In her interview Moss recounts, “I learned from the WASPs or being a WASP that I could do anything I wanted to, all I had to do was want to do it and I could do it. It was a very difficult program to go through and I stayed with it the whole time and I learned that I could do anything. So I just know that if you want something bad enough you can do it.”

Thank you to all the brave women and men that have and continue to serve our country.