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Local heroes share stories of service for veterans project display at Library of Congress


{p}The stories of veterans of all military branches including a local Gold Star Mother will be honored in a unique way as part of a Veterans History Project at the Library Congress. (Caroline Patrickis){/p}

The stories of veterans of all military branches including a local Gold Star Mother will be honored in a unique way as part of a Veterans History Project at the Library Congress. (Caroline Patrickis)

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The stories of veterans of all military branches including a local Gold Star mother will be honored in a unique way as part of a Veterans History Project.

Each unique perspective will be transcribed for display at the Library of Congress by stenographic court reporters from the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).

James Fritzius, a local United States Navy veteran was at the Freedom Museum in Manassas Friday to share his story.

“I can’t describe it, we did a lot of things,” Fritzius said. “It’s tough for me to even talk about it."

Fritzius was emotional when talking about what this day meant to him. He is one of several veterans at the Freedom Museum in Manassas sharing their history and talking about their time in service.

“It’s important for me, I feel, for future generations to know there are people that care not just about themselves but care enough to commit a part of their life to serve something greater than themselves,” Tim Seaman, a Prince William County Army veteran said.

Seaman hopes his contribution will serve a greater purpose in the future.

The veterans sat down with stenographic court reporters who transcribe the interview which will later be a collection at the Library of Congress.

"We are honored to have the NCRA approach us about doing interviews here," said James Porter, President of the Board of Directors at the museum. "It’s the perfect place because the guys are surrounded by all of the things here that remind them of their time in service."

Gold Star mother of a local hero, Davey Ruhren, who was killed in 2004 in Iraq is sharing her son’s story.

Army Sgt. David A. Ruhren died while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ruhren’s name is one of many on the museum’s honor wall and his story is included in its collection of veteran stories.

“It means everything, one of my biggest fears in life is that he will be forgotten and things like this keep him alive," Sonja Ruhren, mother of Davey Ruhren explained. "He was just a really really good guy, he really was."

Since becoming involved with the Veterans History Project, members of the NCRA have transcribed 4,300 oral histories of the United States military veterans.

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