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Oral History Center gives history a future

By Janice Wood · November 10, 2009 ·

Kissimmee Air Museum, located at Florida’s Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), is initiating an Oral History program to record the Greatest Generation’s history.

“During World War II we had between 13 million to 16 million men and women in uniform with about 6 million in combat,” said Tom Mazzoli, Oral History interviewer. “Today there are less than 2 million left, who are leaving us at an alarming rate of 1,000 to 1,500 people per day.”

Many of those left live in central Florida, where Mazolli has dedicated the past 15 years to seeking out and recording the recollections of both the famous and nameless heroes of World War II, according to museum officials.

Mazolli said he will be working with the Kissimmee Air Museum “to preserve a fast-diminishing resource before it’s too late.”

The Museum’s Oral History Center will be the site for the interviews. The center also will share these interviews with educators and students interested in learning about history from those who made it.

If you are a veteran from World War II (or know a veteran) and have a story to tell about your contributions to the war effort at home or on the front lines, call the Kissimmee Air Museum at 407-870-7366 to share your story.

For more information: WarbirdAdventures.com.

About Janice Wood

Janice Wood is editor of General Aviation News.

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