Afghanistan and Iraq Wars series, 2003-2013.
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Arrangement: alphabetical by surname.

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

Some interviews, beginning in the fall of 2003, were conducted with the assistance of Operation Stand Down, a local non-profit organization that assists veterans who are homeless, or who have been homeless. Interviews conducted through the cooperation of Operation Stand Down are so noted in the finding aid for oral histories.

Disclaimer on Veterans History Project Collection Materials - (Historical Accuracy and Reliability in Personal Accounts): The Library of Congress and the Nashville Public Library does not verify the accuracy of the accounts described herein by participants in the Veterans History Project. Individual stories are voluntarily submitted to the Veterans History Project and are placed in the Library's permanent collections as received. These histories are the personal recollections and perspectives of participating individuals and are not intended as a substitute for an official record of the federal government or of military service.

Individuals documented in this series include: Judith Elizabeth (LeComte) Baker; Stephen Michael Blazer; David A. Butler Jr.; John L. Frisby; Many-Bears Grinder; Luke Robert Herbst; Samual Manard Johnson; Gary Dawyne Simonds, Jr.; Pernell A. Simpson; Lucas J. Terry; Jim Thurman; Elizabeth Evelyn (Bailey) Witter.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Scope and content: Oral histories from veterans who served in the wars in Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom), which were initiated in the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and collectively known as "The War on Terrorism." Materials (as of August 2014) primarily consist of oral histories. Further details about interview contents can be obtained by consulting the "Summaries" finding aid for the collection, however one interview is of special note: Jim Thurman, a civilian, performed search and rescue in the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York City immediately following 9/11. In addition, one interview is with the first female Veterans Affairs Commissioner for the state of Tennessee, Many-Bears Grinder, in which she describes her long career, including deployment to Afghanistan, as well as her personal experiences of also being a military family member, including the loss of her daughter-in-law.

The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the "War on Terrorism" were ongoing during the creation of the Veterans History Project. Although several efforts were made to reach out to veterans returning home from these conflicts, response was relatively low, probably due to the fact that many individuals were still in the military, or just recently out. Nevertheless, the persons who shared their stories provide an up-close and personal account of what it was like to serve in the military during this time. In addition to narrating their own personal experiences, they also provide commentary about the political and religious aspects of these conflicts, as well.

Cite as: [name of individual, folder no.], Afghanistan and Iraq Wars Series, Veterans History Project, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library

Some items may be protected by copyright or donor restriction.

Numerous donors contributed to this project.

In English

Finding aid available in repository; ,folder level control.,https://assets.library.nashville.org/documents/finding-aids/Special_Collections_Division_Finding_Aid_VHP_Main_AfghanIraq.pdf.

Finding aid: Interview summaries;,item level control.,https://assets.library.nashville.org/documents/finding-aids/Special_Collections_Division_Finding_Aid_VHP_Summaries.pdf.

Finding aid: List of persons by special interest categories;,https://assets.library.nashville.org/documents/finding-aids/Special_Collections_Division_Finding_Aid_VHP_Special_Interest.pdf.

Finding aid: Collection at a glance;,https://assets.library.nashville.org/documents/finding-aids/Special_Collections_Division_Finding_Aid_VHP_At_A_Glance.pdf.

Collected by the Nashville Room beginning in 2003.

Forms part of the Veterans History Project collection.

No further accruals are expected.