Ritchie Wants to Hear WWII 'Veterans Voices'

Stories of Local Veterans Can Become Part of State Archive

State Senator Patty Ritchie is calling on WWII veterans from Central and Northern New York to share their wartime stories through her “Veterans Voices” program; an effort designed to preserve veteran experiences for future generations and create a permanent record of their service.

For the past two years, Ritchie has partnered with the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center—located in Saratoga Springs—to submit more than two dozen interviews with local veterans. She is now expanding the effort to capture the stories of as many veterans as she can, beginning with those who served in WWII with plans to include veterans of other wars, as well as peacetime, in the near future.

“From 1941 to 1945, more than one million New Yorkers—many of whom today live in our region—answered America’s call to serve their country, and each one has a story to tell,” said Senator Ritchie.

“As I expand my efforts to capture the experiences of our veterans, it’s most urgent that we collect the stories of WWII veterans as soon as we can. I’m hopeful that those who gave of themselves to serve our nation in a time of great need will take part in this program, so their role in the history of our country can be preserved for future generations.”

Senator Ritchie will be scheduling interview times in each of her District Offices in Watertown, Oswego and Ogdensburg from October 14-30. Interviews—which should take no more than an hour—will be submitted to the State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center by Veterans Day, November 11.

For more information, or to schedule an interview please contact Senator Ritchie’s Watertown office at (315) 782-3418.

CLICK HERE to view past interviews already submitted to the state archives.

CLICK HERE  for more information about the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center.