Pictured above: Lauren Rosenstock and Fred Van Liew

Members of the Hopewell Valley Veterans Association began their oral history project earlier this week by interviewing Hopewell veteran Fred Van Liew. A band member in the 44th Infantry Division of the New Jersey National Guard, Van Liew described his involvement with war bond tours in the 1940s. “We traveled in army trucks across the country. They were big, canvas, army trucks; not fancy cars, limousines, or buses. People would buy a $25 war bond to get in to see the shows that we were in. Some of the shows had Purple Heart recipients who came back from war. Other shows had movie stars...these were quite a show," said Van Liew.   

Van Liew’s recollections comprise the beginning collection of first hand military experiences gathered through recorded interviews. The purpose of these interviews is to document the individual perspectives of local veterans highlighting historical information not documented in average textbooks. The oral histories collected will be recorded, transcribed, bound, and stored at the future site of the interpretive museum located at the Hopewell Valley Veterans Association memorial. This documentation will "give a personal touch to the site.  It would be nice to have future generations say, 'That was my grandfather who said that.'  Or, 'So that's what he thought about that,' ” said Association member Bill Meytrott.  

The Hopewell Valley Veterans Association is raising funds to construct and maintain a permanent memorial for residents in the community that have honorably served in war and conflict. Through the support of local corporations and citizens, the construction of the “Memorial Walk,” filled with donated bricks is over ninety percent complete. The Association is now focusing on phase II and III of the project, which consist of constructing a walking trail system, interpretive museum, and other amenities. Aside from honoring veterans at their Memorial Day celebration planned on May 24th at Alliger Tract, Association members believe the memorial and interpretive museum will be a place for all citizens to visit and pay tribute to veterans everyday day of the year.