VVA 862 Welcomes The Social Voice Project

Kevin Farkas addresses the membership of VVA 862

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 862--the 6th largest chapter in the United States--graciously welcomed TSVP Director Kevin Farkas to speak at its November 16th membership meeting in Rochester, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Farkas was given the opportunity to introduce The Social Voice Project and to explain the importance of capturing, preserving, sharing, and celebrating the life stories of veterans.

"I am here to ask you to think about what it means to record and preserve your life stories, " Kevin said to a crowd of about 100 people. "Who else is going to pass on your experiences to your children, families, and future generations? Many of you are wearing shirts with 'You will never be forgotten' written on them, but if we don't record our life stories for future generations then we run the risk of being forgotten."

Kevin went on to say that he just received sad news that a WW II veteran whom he had recently recorded is now terminally ill and not expected to live more than a few days. "I'm so thankful that we had the chance to record his experiences when we had the chance," Kevin said as several in attendance nodded in agreement.

After the meeting, several VVA members expressed interest in TSVP's Veteran Voices of Pittsburgh Initiative--a special life story recording project dedicated to local veterans. "My hope is that the officers and membership of VVA 862 will work with us in creating a special oral history recording project that would give each member a rare and unprecedented opportunity to share his or her life story with fellow Vietnam veterans, their families, and the community."

For more information on the Veteran Voices of Pittsburgh Initiative and how you can help veterans share their life stories, contact TSVP:

Phone: 412-423-8034
Email: TheSocialVoiceProject@gmail.com
Web: http://TheSocialVoiceProject.blogspot.com
          http://veteranvoicesinitiative.blogspot.com/

Contact Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 862: http://www.vva862.org/