Veteran Oral History Project through a youth's eyes

On May 2, 2014, Bret Harte High School had the honor of war veterans come to the school and share their stories. The juniors and seniors, along with myself, were completely baffled by some of the events the veterans have described. A lot of us like to believe that war is similar as to what we see in the movies, and even though we know it is not completely true, we still like to believe it is. It is amazing to see how passionate these veterans are. The veterans vary different age groups, yet they all share the love of serving our country. Today was an event that the juniors and seniors got to enjoy and take in. Being able to talk to veterans who served in the Vietnam War, WW2, and currently serving today is something I will forever cherish and I know the other students will as well. A huge thank you to the U.S. History teacher, Ms. Truman, for providing us this event not only for this year, but every year. And thank you all to have or still are currently serving our country.

Kristina Zimmerman

 Kristina pictured far left with fellow classmates talking with Vietnam Veteran Robert Bradway.

Full story on CG Monday 5-5-14

Veterans bring history alive for Bret Harte students

On May 7, 2012 seven veterans of the Copperopolis VFW Post 12118 spoke with junior and senior students at Bret Harte High School to share their experiences while fighting for our country. VFW Post 12118 had representatives from WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq. A total of 22 veterans from Calaveras County and the surrounding areas attended this event, including a 92 year-old WWII veteran from Modesto.

The idea to bring "history alive for the students" was the reasoning behind this event. Realizing that to learn history on a first-person basis is the most remembered history, Bret Harte History teacher Jennifer Truman began the veteran oral history project in 1997. The presentation follows on the heels of the completion of World Studies through the Vietnam War in their course work, so that the students have a "simple idea of the conflicts in which the presenters were participants of."