This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
10/31/2017 04:00 PMResidents will have the opportunity to view interviews with local veterans about their experiences in the military at a free event called The Stories of Our Local Veterans at the Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Turnpike, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 9 and 10.
Former librarian Lynn Hidek, who conducted the interviews, led a similar project in 2016.
“It’s a great way for folks to share what their time was like,” Hidek said.
Hidek said this year’s program will feature interviews with five local veterans; three of the veterans served in Vietnam, two in World War II, and one served in peacetime. Hidek said the veterans she has interviewed are from across the different branches.
Hidek said the video series was initiated after she and the library’s director, Maribeth Breen, visited other local libraries to see what kind of programs those libraries had that could be replicated in Clinton.
One aspect of interviewing the veterans that Hidek said she noticed was that “they had very vivid memories.” One story that stood out to Hidek was when she interviewed a veteran who had been on a ship with Queen Elizabeth’s father. The sailor wrote to the Queen to tell her of his experience, and even received a correspondence from one of the Queen’s handmaidens informing him that the Queen had appreciated him contacting her.
“Who knew there were handmaidens today?” Hidek said.
Hidek said rather than conducting formal interviews, she asks the veterans some basic questions such as “Where did you serve?” “Tell me about the officers you served with?” and “When did you enlist?” and sees where the questions naturally take her.
“I wanted it to be more of a conversation,” Hidek said.
Hidek said one thing she got out of the conversations, which she called “powerful”, was the “depth of commitment they have for their service.”
Hidek said the reception to the series has been positive thus far. Hidek said the films are made into DVDs and put on YouTube so that people who cannot make the event can view them. Hidek said she would like to keep the series going in the future.
“I would love to speak to people who recently served. I’m happy to make arrangements year-round,” Hidek said. “I’d like to keep this up.”
Each screening of the films will be about 2 ½ hours, and will feature light refreshments. For more information, contact the library at 860-669-2342.