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"In Their Words" Oral History Project

We are in a period when World War II veterans’ truths of war and sacrifice are rapidly becoming extinct. As a society built upon the lessons of its history, we have an obligation – both to the education of future generations as well as to the World War II generation – to document the stories using the weathered voices of a generation that changed, and perhaps

In Their Words is an AETN oral histories project collecting the firsthand personal experiences of Arkansas’s WWII generation. Currently, the project has four parts:

  • Recording the life experiences of the Arkansas World War II generation.
  • Cataloging those testimonies so that they can be searched by the public.
  • Disseminating those testimonies via the Internet, a documentary film and many community outreach activities.
  • Empowering Arkansas teachers with the tools to use this collection of World War II oral histories in Arkansas classroom.

How to Get Interviewed

AETN is still seeking interviewees for the In Their Words oral histories project. If you are part of the World War II generation or know someone who is, please call 1-800-662-2386 for an application, or apply online at www.intheirwords.org.

We are interviewing generals and privates, “Rosie the Riveter” and “Willie and Joe,” bomber crews and infantry, medical doctors and mess hall cooks, all in an effort to tell the story of the American experience from 1941 to 1945.

We conduct interviews at a convenient location for the interviewee, usually in his or her home. Recorded interviews average 80 minutes in length. AETN will scan or video all photographs and mementos supporting the recorded story. AETN also provides to the participant an unedited version of the interview, which is usually mailed four to five weeks after recording.

Send completed interview applications to: AETN, Attn: In Their Words, 350 S. Donaghey, Conway, AR 72034

AETN has already rescued over 270 hours of testimony from 223 members of Arkansas’s World War II generation. Now, more than ever, their traits of courage, integrity, loyalty and compassion need to be recorded and remembered

To learn more, please visit the web site at intheirwords.org.