Jesse White Announces Illinois Veterans History Project
Forms Are Now Available At All Public Libraries
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White is encouraging military veterans and families of deceased veterans to visit their local public libraries to pick up and complete a form that will allow them to be part of the Illinois Veterans History Project.
The Illinois Veterans History Project is designed to create a permanent record of the names and remembrances of American war veterans and civilians who served. The Illinois State Archives, a division of the Secretary of State's office, will collect the names of war veterans and civilians-living or deceased-who served and place them in a permanent repository. Illinois Patriot Information Forms are now available at every Illinois public library. Veterans and the families of deceased veterans are asked to fill out the easy-to-complete forms and send them back to the Illinois State Archives.
"The brave men and women who have served and defended our nation during times of war deserve our unending gratitude and appreciation," said White, a United States Army veteran. "I thank our public libraries for helping collect this important information, which will ensure that the names and stories of our soldiers who made sacrifices to preserve and protect our freedoms are always remembered in the state of Illinois."
The initiative follows a law passed by the federal government authorizing the Library of Congress to collect and preserve the histories of American veterans and civilians who were involved in wars dating back to World War I. The Library of Congress in Washington D.C. will be the repository for audio, video and written remembrances from veterans and their families.
The Illinois Patriot Information Forms are also available at driver services facilities throughout Illinois. Interested persons may also print copies by downloading a PDF file located at White's website at: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/ard1383.pdf. Veterans and others who participate will receive a Certificate of Appreciation from Secretary White.
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