Margaret Hamilton and Jeff Christensen are compiling a book of oral histories of Greene County veterans, which will be published this summer.
“I saw someone on tv talking about oral histories of veterans, and I thought something like that would be valuable here, as so many of our veterans are aging, and their stories may be lost,” said Margaret Hamilton, who is vice president of the Greene County Historical Society.
She talked to Jeff Christensen, who was in the U.S. Air Force, and he agreed to help conduct interviews with the veterans. Hamilton said interviews take about 20 or 25 minutes, although Christensen reported his first interview ran longer.
Submissions are due May 1, 2026, and must be accounts of living individuals who served in the military after Dec. 7, 1941. Veterans may answer some, or all, of a standard list of questions, either in writing or in an oral interview. The text is in their own words, and they are given the opportunity to approve it.
Raspberry Ridge Publishing will publish the book, and Janice Harbaugh of Raspberry Ridge will donate her time and services to the project. The book will be co-copyrighted by Raspberry Ridge Publishing and the Greene County Historical Society. All proceeds from sales of the book will be given to the Greene County Veterans Memorial project. Participants will receive a free copy of the book, and they will also have the opportunity to buy additional books at the publisher’s price.
Veterans who wish to participate and anyone who wants more information contact Margaret Hamilton at hami0017@hotmail.com or 515-370-4799.
