Today we’d like to introduce you to Neil Gallagher
Hi Neil, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Neil Gallagher, and I run a veteran oral history project called Preserving the Stories. I started this project in 2008, hoping to learn more about my grandfathers who served in WWII. I began volunteering at my local American Legion Post. Eventually, this led to me interviewing the veterans there, and the project has since grown to over 150 interviews with World War Two, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced with this project is finding veterans who are capable and willing to be interviewed. With a dwindling number of WWII and Korean War veterans available and with many Vietnam veterans passing at a much younger age due to things such as Agent Orange, I have been in a race against time to gather these stories before it is too late.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Our interviews differ from other oral history projects because we insist on the veteran deciding what they wish to discuss. We do not ask any questions the veteran does not want to discuss, focusing instead on parts of their service that they enjoy talking about, such as funny stories and their friends.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
The only risk we have faced with this project is the upfront costs associated with conducting these interviews. Preserving the Stories recently registered as a nonprofit, and we hope to apply for grants to help with our administrative costs. I feel that the costs I incur in conducting these interviews are well worth it to preserve these veterans’ legacies for future generations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.preservingthestories.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preservingthestories/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/preservingthestories
- Twitter: https://X.com/rememberthempts
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@preservingthestories
- Other: https://neilharrisongallagher.com/
Image Credits
Neil Gallagher
