Cal State San Marcos will host a special event in March to showcase an oral history film project dedicated to preserving the powerful stories of military veterans.
The event, titled “Veterans History Project: An Unveiling of the Journey,” will take place March 19 in the ballroom of the University Student Union on CSUSM’s campus. Directed by Jason Beyer (a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and CSUSM alumnus) and Marilyn Huerta (a CSUSM alumna and employee), the event will provide an intimate and poignant look into the personal experiences of veterans who served across multiple wars and branches of the U.S. military.
The Veterans History Project is a collaborative effort among CSUSM, the Library of Congress in Washington and the university’s Kellogg Library, with the veterans’ interviews being archived both at the Library of Congress and the CSUSM library’s special collections department. The project’s purpose is to ensure that the stories of U.S. veterans are preserved for future generations, honoring their sacrifices and contributions.
The March 19 program, which begins at 6 p.m., will feature powerful snippets from filmed interviews with six local veterans:
- Elmer Royce Williams, a 99-year-old who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War
- Dora Beachman, Marines (and CSUSM alumna)
- Michael Lacea, Navy (and CSUSM alumnus)
- Albert Toro, Army
- Thomas Galyean, Army
- James Forester, Air Force
The event also includes a keynote address by Amy Forsythe, a Marine veteran, Navy reservist and CSUSM alumna who will reflect on the importance of preserving veteran stories and the ongoing impact of military service on communities.
The formal program will be preceded at 5 p.m. by a veteran/military resource fair and reception, offering attendees an opportunity to learn more about veteran resources and services.
The Veterans History Project is the result of months of dedicated work by Beyer, who connected with and interviewed the veterans and also ensured that all interviews met the criteria for archiving with the Library of Congress. Huerta, who spearheaded the initiative on the CSUSM campus, helped bring the project to fruition and is leading the coordination of the March 19 event.
CSUSM student Adel Bautista also played a key role by filming the interviews, and history lecturer Shad Thielman will be helping to create video transcriptions for the project archives. The resulting footage will be shared with the Library of Congress and archived for future generations.
Additionally, Sean Visintainer and Jennifer Ho from the CSUSM library are responsible for archiving the filmed interviews, ensuring their preservation for future research and study. These interviews will be included in the Voices of North County collection, a digital archive hosted by the CSUSM Library.
“These veterans’ stories are not just part of history; they are part of our community's fabric,” Huerta said. “By archiving these oral histories, we are making sure future generations can connect with the courage, resilience and sacrifice of those who served our country.”
The event is open to the public. CSUSM students and the military-affiliated community can attend for free, while tickets cost $5 for CSUSM faculty, staff and alumni, and $10 for the general public.
The Veterans History Project is sponsored by multiple CSUSM organizations: Veterans Services; the College of Business Administration; the College of Education, Health and Human Services; the departments of history and social work; Student Health & Counseling Services; and Kappa Sigma Tau-Omicron.
“We are incredibly grateful for our partners and supporters,” Beyer said. “Together, we are ensuring that the voices of our veterans are not forgotten and that their legacies continue to inspire future generations.”
Event tickets can be reserved online. Anyone interested in participating in the resource fair can email Huerta at mhuerta@csusm.edu or Beyer at beyer005@csusm.edu.
Veterans History Project: An Unveiling of the Journey
Date: March 19
Time: 6 p.m. (resource fair and reception at 5)
Location: CSUSM’s University Student Union Ballroom
Tickets:
- CSUSM students: Free
- Military-affiliated community and resource fair guests: Free
- CSUSM faculty/staff/alumni: Free
- Community: $10
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