Library Features Book Display Honoring Veterans Day

The Robert R. Muntz Library has created a book display to honor Veterans Day and those who served. The display features books and images related to veterans and their service.According to the Library of Congress (from the American Memory Project), "the Allied powers signed a cease-fire agreement with Germany at Rethondes, France on November 11, 1918, bringing World War I to a close. Between the wars, November 11 was commemorated as Armistice Day in the United States, Great Britain, and France. After World War II, the holiday was recognized as a day of tribute to veterans of both world wars. Beginning in 1954, the United States designated November 11 as Veterans Day to honor veterans of all U.S. wars."

Some people confuse Memorial Day, which takes place on the last Monday in May, with Veterans Day. Memorial Day was originally set aside to honor those who died in the service of their country. Veterans Day also honors those who died in the service of their country, but it is also a day to thank, honor, and recognize all those who served honorably in the military in peacetime or during wartime; it is a holiday to thank living veterans for their service. If you wish to learn more about Veterans Day, here are some websites that may be of interest:

• You can find President Obama's proclamation for Veterans Day 2009 here. We have placed a copy of the proclamation in the library display as well.
• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has a website with links and resources for Veterans Day as well as other information on services for veterans.
• The History Channel has a page of information and resources for Veterans Day. Of special interest to communities, and something schools could consider doing is participating in the Take a Vet to School program. Find out more about the program here.
• The U.S. Census Bureau has a sheet of facts and figures related to Veterans Day and veterans. Some of the factoids I feature on the library's electronic display come from the Census Bureau.
• The Library of Congress has a kids website known as America's Library. It has a small feature on Veterans Day.
• The National Museum of the American Indian, part of the Smithsonian Institution, had a Veterans Day short film contest. You can see the short films from the contest at the site.
• This is the site for Arlington National Cemetery. You can find out about their special program and service for Veterans Day as well as other information for visitors, photos, etc.
• The National Archives also has content of interest to veterans and their families.
• Also from the Library of Congress, you may be interested in the Veterans History Project. Hear and read oral histories of veterans as well as learn how you could participate.
• Locally, or somewhat nearby, you can get details about the annual Dallas Veterans Day Parade. Some of their photos from past parades  are very moving and can be viewed on the site as well.
• Locally, as in on campus, the university is hosting a Veteran's Day seminar on “Returning Veterans: Implications for Higher Education”. You can get the details from the press release here.

In addition, if you wish to read about those who served as well as some histories, the following is the list of books, with call numbers, placed in the library's display case now. Unless noted otherwise, the regular location for these books is the third floor General Collection stacks.

• Ken Burns's PBS documentary The War, which is a history of World War II. This is usually located in the A/V collection. Ask at Circulation if you wish to check it out. Call number: D811.5 .W37 2007. For more details on the documentary, you can also visit the PBS The War website.
• Eve Bunting, The Wall. This is a children's book about the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. It is usually located in the CML Room. Call number: CML Easy Fic B9425wa.
• Sal Lopes, The Wall: Images and Offerings from the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. This is the big book we have open to display some of the photos. Throughout the month, we will turn pages to highlight different photos, so feel free to come over often and have a look. The book's call number is: F203.4.V54 W35 1987.
• Ronald H. Spector, At War, At Sea: Sailors and Naval Combat in the Twentieth Century. V53 .S66 2002.
• Robert Ackerman, Creating a Veteran-Friendly Campus. UB357 .C735 2009.
• Stephen E. Ambrose, Americans at War. E181 .A34 1998.
• Frederick Downs, The Killing Zone: My Life in the Vietnam War. DS559.5 .D69 2007.
• Lea Ybarra, Vietnam Veteranos: Chicanos Recall the War. DS559.8 .M39 Y23 2004.
• Helen Benedict, The Lonely Soldier: the Private War of Women Serving in Iraq. This is usually located in the Bestsellers Collection in the second floor. Call number is DS 79.76 .B445 2009.
• Kate Blaise, The Heart of a Soldier: a True Love Story of Love, War and Sacrifice. This is usually located in the Bestsellers Collection in the second floor. Call number is DS79.76 .B58 2005.
• David Bellavia, House to House: an Epic Memoir of War. This is usually located in the Bestsellers Collection in the second floor. DS79.76 .B4465 2007.
• Steve Estes, Ask & Tell: Gay and Lesbian Veterans Speak Out. UB418 .G38 E77 2007.
• Megan K. Winchell, Good Girls, Good Food, Good Fun: the Story of USO Hostesses during World War II. D810 .E8 W56 2008.

This display will run until the end of November. As always, the books inside the display case are available for checkout. If you are affiliated to the university (or you have a courtesy card), you can request to check out any book in the display case. Just stop by the reference or circulation desks, and we will be happy to open the case.