Sparta American Legion Giving Veterans Platform To Tell Their Story

Sparta’s American Legion Post 99 is asking all veterans to consider sharing their story with the public.

The post will host a Veteran Story Day on Saturday from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM.

Post Commander Ronald Lapierre said this Saturday will be an opportunity to give civilians insight into military life. Lapierre said this prevents history from being lost and gives veterans a platform to express themselves.

“I actually asked one of the veterans that, because he was going to talk about a combat he did in Laos,” Lapierre said. “And I said are you sure you want to talk about it, that’s kind of traumatic? He said, ‘it’s really therapeutic and when I talk about it, it actually relieves my stress.’ He said more veterans need to talk about it, to help cope with it.”

Lapierre said he is asking veterans to bring photos, to give perspective to how young they were when they took part in their military service. Lapierre said that any interested veteran can call him to schedule a speaking time at the Clean Heart Veterans Center.

The number to call is (931) 256-5023 and the public is encouraged to attend.

“An example I told one of our members to do was bring a picture, because his grandson sees him as this old man,” Lapierre said. “But yet when he served in Korea he was 18 years old.”

Lapierre said his fear is that a lack of dialogue about military life can leave those stories lost to future generations. He said that as time passes, these historic events become less real to young people.

“Talking to people at Memorial Day, I found out that a lot of people didn’t remember 9/11, a lot of younger people,” Lapierre said. “I feel that we’re losing our history, our family histories because people don’t talk.”

Combat veterans are encouraged to participate as well as reservists and any veterans who wish to share their stories. Lapierre said he has confirmed four speakers, and anyone who reaches out to him will get a chance to speak if they show up on June 19.