"Veterans’ Voices and Home Front Memories," 63 World War II veterans and women who waited for their return share deeply personal stories. Coming of age during the later years of the Great Depression and the early 1940s, they willingly put their personal lives on hold to defend their country from December 1941 to August 1945. They all have ties to Fayette County, Texas, but their recollections represent an entire generation that pulled together in the greatest manifestation of patriotism this country has ever seen, doing whatever was asked of them despite the personal cost.-- Publisher.

The Heroes of this book are the veterans and their families whose stories span 140+ years in protecting our country. Their stories are history, filled with the mundane events of service life, the fear of combat, the horror that front line infantrymen faced, the tension that air crews and pilots faced, the vastness of the Pacific that confronted sailors, the strain on the mind and bodies of Prisoners of War, and humor viewed through the eyes of the veterans. As you read their stories listen to the voices of these veterans and picture in your mind an aging color guard from a local veterans post; visualize them marching into the mist, to the sound of distant drums and the muted bugles call, along with the men and women who have gone before. There are no large marble memorials to these individual veterans; their monument is a free United States. I am left with one thought about the experience of speaking with these people; God bless the United States of America and all who serve her.

Through intimate photographs and poignant stories, this heart-rending book showcases the courage, heroics, and sacrifice of selected U.S. soldiers and veterans. This deeply moving, timely celebration of veterans highlights the heroes in our midst by bringing these brave men and women to life. Veterans Voices blends beauty and impact and gorgeous photographic displays with inspiring storytelling.

Voices of Our Veterans captures the memories of twenty-seven war veterans from Mason County, West Virginia, as told to high school students, preserving their stories of heroism, perseverance, and sacrifice for the ages. This compilation of biographies was authored by Walter Raynes's eleventh grade Language Arts students at Wahama High School during the spring semester of 2009. Wahama, a small rural school with an enrollment of approximately 430 students in grades seven through twelve, rests along the Ohio River in the area of Mason County known as the "Big Bend." Through their efforts and participation in this project, these twenty-four first-time published writers not only honed their skills in the areas of writing, technology, oral communication, and critical thinking, but they also gained a greater awareness and appreciation of the contributions and sacrifices of all veterans. During their interviews, these servicemen related their fears, their hardships, and their triumphs--some for the first time. Along the way, they shared a plethora of emotions as they led the students through their military journeys. "We hope you enjoy reading about these everyday men who we consider our local heroes." ―Mr. Walter Raynes "Now more than ever, stories like these must be told...and lessons learned lest we forget, lest we forget. What some of the youth of Wahama High School accomplished was they kept the library of knowledge of twenty-seven veterans from being lost to future generations." -Medal of Honor winner Woody Williams

Celebrating Service: 2023 Veterans' Voices Anthology is an anthology of stories, essays, and poems by participants in Literary Cleveland's Veterans' Voices program. From October 2022-May 2023, Northeast Ohio military service members and veterans gathered in free creative writing workshops to reflect on their experiences, express their creativity, and share their stories. This collection is a celebration of the talent, hard work, and dedication of the anthology's contributors and recognition of their unique experiences serving in all branches of the US Military. Veterans' Voices is presented in partnership with the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System and with funding from the Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts Creative Forces Community Engagement program as part of the Mid America Arts Alliance. It is one of Literary Cleveland's Amplify Projects, designed to empower, uplift, and celebrate our many stories of our region.