then Add to Home Screen.
NGAUS has partnered with Publishing Concepts, Inc. to publish an oral history publication that will capture the military stories and experiences NGAUS members have.
Known as the Oral History Project, this program collects and archives stories from military association members and university alumni and compiles them into a book.
In 2019, PCI added oral storytelling to the mix and has since collected more than 1 million stories.
"The Oral History Project offers an engaging way to capture the stories of NGAUS members’ service using both recorded oral storytelling and print media," said Maria Kelly, the director of membership and marketing for NGAUS.
Kelly said the association is excited for the opportunity to partner with PCI.
"They have been supporting military and veteran service organizations and colleges and universities for more than 100 years," she said.
Members can expect to receive a yellow postcard and/or an email from PCI and NGAUS asking them to participate in the project by providing an interview and photos.
Participation is optional, and it will be up to each NGAUS member to contact PCI and share their story using the contact information from the email or postcard. The NGAUS member’s stories will be collected during a phone call with a trained member of PCI’s team.
NGAUS’ membership department will provide contact information to PCI for them to reach out to the association’s members about participating. PCI will not use members’ contact information outside of the project.
Kelly said this project will last 12 months after beginning in late August.
The first six months will include marketing outreach, gathering stories and taking reservations for orders. The second six months involves producing the book.
NGAUS will be heavily involved with the book’s production, providing bonus content and editorial approval.
Kelly said that by participating, NGAUS members not only preserve their own stories for sharing with family and friends, but they contribute to the National Guard’s greater record from the Cold War-era through the transition to the operational reserve of the Army and Air Forces.
"There is nothing more impactful than the collective history of the many unique members of the National Guard," she said.
NGAUS members will be able to purchase a copy of the book, a CD recording and other merchandise.
If a member wishes to participate in this project but does not receive a postcard or email, please contact ngaus@ngaus.org.
Learn more here.
— By Donald Lambert
