Note: This article is copied from an email sent out recently to members of the VFW Post 1614 and American Legion Post 288 in La Crescenta by Dick Clubb, the assistant adjutant. The primary focus is for U.S. Amy veterans.
The article is from the National Museum of the United Stats Army newsletter named “Call to Duty” written by Colonel Jerry Hansen. The article is about The Registry of the American Soldier. This is an opportunity of every Army veteran to add their name to the Army Museum Registry and the names of others you may wish to be added. To add your own entries to the Registries visit armyhistory.org/the-registries/.

As a longtime supporter of the Army Historical Foundation and the National Museum of the United States Army, one of the features that I love is The Registry of the American Soldier, which captures the stories of the many men and women who have served our country as a soldier throughout Army history. The Registry is not only available to Museum visitors, it is also available online.

I often go to the Soldier Registry and enter the name of a historical personage or someone with whom I had served and wanted to recognize. When persons’ names are not found, I feel the urge to do an entry on their behalf. The practice has become addictive. Before long, I began making lists of people who came to mind so that I could enter them when I had time, assuming they weren’t already well documented.

I am trying to document as many as possible the junior soldiers and NCOs with whom I have served. Researching their stories has created a great opportunity to contact them after many years, telling them how much I appreciated their service, and asking if I may document their story.

I have had a lot of fun doing the project and I’ve learned a lot in the process.

We need many more amateur historians to begin adding Soldier Registry entries, and to keep at it for years to come if we’re ever going to capture the majority of veterans since the 17th century – a herculean task! I am up to about 120 entries now and my list of unfinished entries continues to grow. The more I do, the easier it becomes and the more I enjoy what I’m doing.

In addition to soldier stories, there is a Registry of the Army Community and even a Registry for Service Animals. Please join me in this enjoyable past time. which may put you back in contact with many lost friends.

Writer Jerry Hansen graduated from United States Military Academy (West Point) and was commissioned as an Artillery officer in 1968; served as Forward Observer, Fire Direction Officer, and Executive Officer in A Battery 320th Field A1tillery, 82ND Airborne Division, 1969 – 1970; Battalion Liaison Officer and Battery Commander, C and A Batteries, 1st Bn 77th Field Artillery, 1st Air Cav Division, (RVN & US) 1970 – 1972. Following schooling at Ft Sill, OK, returned to West Point as an instructor and course director, Office of Military Instruction, 1973 -1976, then as Aide-de-Camp to Superintendent (LTG Sid Berry) USMA 1976 – 1977.

Provided by Blake HYFIELD