Snohomish County World War II Veterans’ Project. Part One.

16Dec09

We just spent the past couple of days out at the Snohomish Senior Center for the launch of the World War II Veterans’ Project.  Initially, I was concerned that we would not get very many participants, but we had a great start and more are coming!  We starting booking for January 18 and 19!  We also are going to be visiting with some people who couldn’t make it in.  Over the past two days, we talked with 10 veterans, a daughter of a WWII veteran, and a woman who was part of the USO.  It was a great start.

I have to say that this is no longer just WoodMoore Photography’s Project.  It really has become a passion project from the Moore family. I could never have accomplished so much in the past couple of days had it not been for the efforts of my mother, my father, my grandpa, my sister, my sister-in-law, my nephew, my niece, my aunt, uncle, and my husband.  They all helped in one way or another: scanning photographs, greeting veterans, making cookies and handing out apple cider, playing music, talking with senior center members, and running various errands.  I especially need to thank my cousin-in-law, Christina.  She conducted almost every interview as I was taking pictures and dealing with the more technical aspect of the project.  She is a great journalist and I am very thankful that she is part of this.

What has come from the past couple of days, is a greater appreciation for what our men and women did for this country during that time.  I always knew the sacrifices were great, but it didn’t really hit me until I took time to hear the stories themselves.  From the interviews I’ve been apart of so far, what has seemed to be a recurring idea is that they just did what they had to do.  It wasn’t a question.  It was a duty.  As we interviewed my grandpa last night, it struck me how unquestionable that devotion was.  Here was a man who had a wife, daughter, baby on the way, and then one day it’s time to go. And he went willingly- never knowing when he would return.  It has been very humbling listening to his and others stories and recognizing what has been given.

I am looking forward to the next couple of months as we continue to work on this project.  If you know of any WWII veterans from Snohomish County who may be interested in participating, please send them my way or they may contact the senior center for scheduling.

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