Join MTSU in paying tribute to our nation’s veterans by listening to them tell about their personal military experiences on the day after Veterans Day.

“They Fought for Us: Stories of Service” is slated for 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Stones River National Battlefield, 3501 Old Nashville Highway in Murfreesboro.

The main entrance to the park is at 1563 N. Thompson Lane. The event is free and open to the public.

Staff and students of MTSU’s Albert Gore Research Center will enable the public to hear the oral histories they have recorded for the center’s Veterans History Project. Interested veterans may add their individual histories to the collection at the ceremony.

Louis Kyriakoudes

“Tennesseans have a long and distinguished history of serving in our nation’s military,” said center director Louis Kyriakoudes. “Veterans Day is an opportunity for all of us to remember and honor that service.”

Area vets will bring their sacrifices to life with uniforms, equipment, photographs and other items, and veteran Ernest Newsome will provide musical performances. A member of the 13th United States Colored Infantry living history unit will illuminate the contributions of black soldiers during the Civil War.

Members of MTSU’s Writers Corps will share their original creative writing. The Writers Corps is an informal group of student veterans who express themselves through both poetry and prose and publish an annual literary journal, “DMZ.”

“They Fought for Us: Stories of Service” is being presented by MTSU, the National Park Service, the African-American Heritage Society of Rutherford County and the Friends of Stones River National Battlefield.

For more information, contact the Albert Gore Research Center at 615-898-2632 or the Stones River National Battlefield at 615-893-9501. To listen to the Veterans History Project oral histories, go to https://soundcloud.com/albertgoreresearchcenter.

— Gina Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)