Make it as long as you want and post as many pictures as you want. Got a video, heck, post that too. We don’t mind, and even better, we don’t change.

Click Here to Post Your Announcement Now

What Can www.News.sc Do For Me?

Some of Joan’s pictures from around Charleston:

For more of Joan’s work, check out her blog at http://news.sc/wp-admin/post-new.php and www.News.sc, where her photographs are featured regularly.

“World War II was a seminal episode in United States History. And with many of our World War II veterans leaving us daily, it’s timely and extremely important that we record and preserve their histories.”

Furman University history professor and historian at Greenville, S.C. Upcountry History Museum, Dr. Courtney Tollison is passionate about capturing the stories of honor, loyalty, sacrifice and duty the WWII veterans she interviews share with her.

Recently, Tollison received some assistance from VFW Post 9138, Fort Mill, S.C. in setting up interviews and contacting WWII veterans in surrounding counties.

“Dr. Tollison called the Post and asked us if we would help her find veterans from that era to interview and we said we’d love to,” explained John Marker, public relations chairman for Post 9138.

The oral histories collected will be used to create a traveling exhibit and video documentary of those who contributed to the war effort in the 15 counties that create upstate South Carolina.

Post 9138 volunteered their location for Dr. Tollison to conduct and film the interviews. Marker and his comrades also put notices in the paper inviting any WWII veterans interested to call and schedule an interview.

“Dr. Tollison and her staff turned our banquet room into a full production facility with cameras, studio lights and recording equipment,” said Marker. “I take my hat off to her.”

Tollison was impressed by the incredible sense of duty and commitment to country shared by each of the veterans she spoke to.

“I enjoyed watching the faces of the interviewees when I would ask them why they enlisted or why they fought,” she offered. “Their expressions and the pauses in conversation seem to suggest they never considered it an option not to.

“They would say things like ‘It was just the right thing to do — plain and simple’, or, ‘I just felt called — I can’t explain it’,” she added. “I find this kind of clarity and sense of purpose refreshing.”

It’s Tollison’s hope that preserving the oral histories of WWII veterans will give younger people the chance to benefit from the life experiences of “The Greatest Generation.”

“I really enjoy listening to each of the men and women I interview,” she concluded. “I wish more young people had opportunities to sit and talk with people from this generation.

“There’s so much to be learned from them.”