He sits back and adjusts himself on the bench. Colonel Nick G. Pappas, wearing his Special Forces cap, appears eager to begin. Two hours into the interview with Deree students, Pappas is teary-eyed. “I can’t believe I can remember all of it,” he said.

He came to Deree College to share his World War II stories with student volunteers of the Veterans History Project. These students, in turn, do their part to ensure Pappas’ stories, and those of other veterans, will not be forgotten.

The Veterans History Project is supervised by Ron Curry, a 63-year-old retired lieutenant who lives with his wife in Athens. Curry is president of the U.S. Retiree Association in Greece. Also a World War II veteran, he joined the project in 2003 after an email from the Veterans Administration in the United States.

In January 2004, after months of meetings, an agreement was signed between Deree College and the Library of Congress. By February 2005, students began to volunteer. “I’m thrilled and amazed to be part of this [project] and I think the students involved are all terrific,” said Curry.

There are over three hundred American Veterans in Greece, most of which live in Athens. The project’s purpose is to collect the memories of World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Gulf War veterans. The tapes of the interviews will be sent to the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. so that the stories can be archived and accessed by anyone.

Deree is the only official partner of the Library of Congress History Project outside of the United States.

Anna-Maria Tsikhlaki is one of over twenty students participating in this project. “I am so proud,” she said. “It gives me the opportunity to meet people who served in the military during a war I have only read about and hear their stories up close.”

Communication department professor Daniel McCormac trains student volunteers to conduct interviews and use camera equipment. “This is a good opportunity for students to get experience in a number of different areas related to journalism,” he said. “It also gives them the ability to examine history and compare how people were 50 years ago and how they are today.”

Students interested in joining the Veterans History Project can get in touch with either Christina Polyzou or Kia Karayiannis at 210 600 9800. Students can also get information about the project at www.loc.gov