137 part of telling the story of Canadian veterans involves talking to them and hearing what they have to say. We often overlook how much veterans have influenced Canadian society. Oral histories are a special source for historians hoping to research these impacts.” He adds that, in addition to expanding the Museum’s important oral history collection, this project aims to enhance our understanding of military history by focusing on stories that reveal how veterans transitioned back into civilian life and by including stories from family members who supported them. “Many military oral history projects limit their scope to a particular conflict or period of service,” said Petrou. “Our initiative is more concerned with what happens when veterans transition back into civilian life. This is an under-examined aspect of Canada’s history but, we believe, a rich one. This project is also unique because we want to speak with veterans’ loved ones. We recognize that the impacts of war and service can ripple beyond those who fight in wars or serve in the armed forces, even across generations, and we want to learn more about that.” Sharing this important legacy with the Canadian public is another crucial element of the project. “Making hundreds of raw transcripts available to students and scholars will provide a significant resource for future study and reflection on Canada’s war involvement,” says Kelsey Beauvais, the Museum’s Oral History Collections Specialist. An online portal will make audio recordings, photographs and artifact images accessible to the public. Plans for a conference and a book based on the initiative are also in development. Studio portrait of Robert Wright and his three brothers, CWM 20120143-011 | George Metcalf Archival Collection | Canadian War Museum Veterans and their families interested in being interviewed for this historic collection may visit https:/ www.warmuseum.ca/voices.
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