MILWAUKEE — The world's largest celebration of Irish culture is returning to Milwaukee's lakefront and is looking for volunteers for a special project. Irish Fest has teamed up with the Veterans History Project from Grand Valley State University to collect the stories of military veterans.
The festival is gathering interviews of military veterans to be uploaded on a website that is a part of the Special Collections of the University library, so that people can research and learn about war history, first-hand.
"All veterans are encouraged to come and share their stories," said Mike Mitchell, Director of Milwaukee Irish Fest. "Interviews will be conducted in a private and quiet area on the grounds and archived online for preservation.”
To sign up, contact Melissa Ward at media@irishfest.com. Interviews will be scheduled and conducted throughout the festival weekend. Veterans will also be able to sign up inside the Heroes Hut area inside Irish Fest.
The Heroes Hut is an area where active and retired military members, veterans of all military branches, first responders and up to three accompanying family members can relax along the lakefront. Complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be served, according to officials.
The festival will take place August 15-18.
The Veterans History Project was established in 2006 to collect, record and archive oral history interviews and other materials from military veterans of all eras.
To learn more about the project, click here.
