GREENVILLE – The Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library is in its fourth year of its mission of developing a digital library and establishing a booming social media presence “of veterans – for veterans.”
By digitizing participating veterans’ oral histories, pictures and all other forms of primary material, the mission creates actual primary history sources for generations to come. The Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library thinks the best way to honor veterans is to maintain an accurate record for as many of them as possible.
Further, its long-term plan is to build a first-of-its kind, state-of-the-art digital memorial. It will be a cutting edge interactive memorial where visitors can give the memorial voice commands. The digital memorial will represent what can be found online, and it will be different from all other memorials because the Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library digital memorial will be veterans-centered. Other memorials or museums can contribute/link digitally to the library as well.
For more on the plans and the park’s history, visit the Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library on Facebook and YouTube at Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library.
In the past years, the Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library made significant gains through a partnership with Interactive Media TV and Public Access Channel 5 at Greenville High School. This partnership is a windfall for both groups. The Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library gets access to a studio and equipment for its mission, and the high school students get practical exercise on producing relevant material. The students are inspired by the program. The growth and creativity blossoming from the students makes organizers beam with pride.
While the Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library continues to develop partnerships with local media, other schools, OHIOLinks and the Library of Congress to further expand its link with other veterans’ libraries, it strives to be the best practice for other high school and/or college media programs to emulate.
Additionally, over the summer organizers travel to veterans’ services conventions and other veteran news worthy events like military reunions, Gold Star memorials and veteran parades. The Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library YouTube channel averages 900 viewed minutes a month and its Facebook page trended locally during its programming at the Great Darke Co Fair and POW/MIA Observance. The Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library social media platform raises awareness of current veteran issues and promotes digital literacy to veterans.
The Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library’s fourth talent show, the Gong Talent Show IV, is the day before Veteran’s Day at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library’s home, VFW Post 7262, 219 N. Ohio St., Greenville.
Talent acts from throughout the Miami Valley will compete for best overall performance and a $1,000 prize plus the most original act and a $500 prize, which are selected by the judge panel. Contests also will compete for the people’s choice award and a $500 prize selected by online voting.
The celebrity judge panel consists of prominent veterans in the region, and this year organizers are highlighting past Greenville alumni supporters including Chief Petty Officer Kenton Stacy, who was severely wounded and paralyzed in Syria last year. It is the Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library’s “fire” mission to raise awareness and support for Stacy and his family.
Stacy will join the show via satellite from San Diego. The Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library will stream the entire show live on its Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Talent acts include singers, skits, a Marine birthday number and a Shakespearian actor. The night is a celebration and a time for all veterans regardless of affiliation to come together as one for fun and camaraderie. Trippin Fish will perform before at 6 p.m., during and after the show. Admission is a donation to #StacyStrong.
Anyone with questions may call 937-542-0966.
