{"id":63065,"date":"2020-11-11T11:16:27","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T16:16:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=63065"},"modified":"2024-04-16T09:30:01","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T13:30:01","slug":"family-history-asking-questions-on-veterans-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/family-history-asking-questions-on-veterans-day.html","title":{"rendered":"Family History: Asking Questions on Veterans Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/em><\/strong> In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega urges family historians on Veterans Day to interview their family\u2019s veterans to preserve their stories. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book \u201cFrom the Family Kitchen.<\/span>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Pursuing a family history means that you will have regrets. It\u2019s inevitable. Many researchers wish they were interested in genealogy when they were younger. Some lament they didn\u2019t cite their sources when they began their search. One of their biggest regrets is not asking questions of the older generation when they had the chance.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: Joseph Ambrose, an 86-year-old World War I veteran, attends the dedication day parade for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982. Wearing a doughboy uniform like the ones used during the war, he is holding an American flag. It covered the casket of his son Clement, who was killed in the Korean War. Credit: Department of Defense. Defense Audiovisual Agency; Scene Camera Operator: Mickey Sanborn.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Veterans Day reminds me of one of my genealogy-related regrets. I regret I didn\u2019t interview my dad about his Vietnam-era military service when I had the chance. Yes, we do know some information about that service via his grandsons, who asked questions. I have his DD214. I even have a scrapbook that he kept that includes a few photos he took during his time in the military. But because I, like so many others, wrongly believed there was time, I didn\u2019t ask the questions I should have while he was alive.<\/p>\n

Armistice Day\/Veterans Day<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the United States, Veterans Day falls on November 11th each year. This date was chosen because World War I ended on 11 November 1918. Originally called Armistice Day, it commemorated that occasion and honored the veterans who served and died in the \u201cGreat War.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Emporia Gazette (Emporia, Kansas), 10 November 1919, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After World War II and the Korean War, it was suggested that the day should honor all veterans, and so it was renamed Veterans Day. Veterans Day honors all those who have served, while Memorial Day honors those who have died in military service.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Evansville Courier and Press (Evansville, Indiana), 8 February 1954, page 5<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ask Questions NOW!<\/strong><\/p>\n

One way to honor that service is to document the lives of our family\u2019s veterans. Take some time to ask a few questions. Go over photographs and scrapbooks. Ask about their experience. It can be intimidating to interview someone about military service if you are not familiar with it, but think of questions you would want to know \u2013 such as:<\/p>\n