Austin History Center

In 2006, after the donation of archival materials related to the military service of Lance Corporal Nicholas Perez, Sue Soy of the Austin History Center was approached by the leadership of Tejanos in Action to create an exhibit about the contributions of Mexican American veterans. The idea was expanded to include all military veterans in the Austin/Travis County area. A steering committee was formed from the leadership of various veterans' groups to begin the process of collecting documentary materials for an archival collection and exhibit. Included on this committee were Dan Arellano as chairperson and David Jaso, both of Tejanos in Action, Mike London of Jewish War Veterans, Joe Ramos of Catholic War Veterans, Dawn Mata of Texas Women Veterans, and Olie Pope of Travis Co. Veterans Services, along with AHC staff Sue Soy and Steve Schwolert. A biographical information form was created and distributed to veterans through the members of the committee soliciting archival materials and information regarding military service. These forms, along with photographs and other documentary materials were then donated to the Austin History Center and were compiled into this collection. Materials were gathered from veterans as far back as World War II and as recently as the Iraq War (Gulf War II). These materials were combined with other materials already in Austin History Collection collections to create the exhibit "Veterans of Austin and Travis County: Service and Sacrifice" which ran between July 16, 2007 and January 11, 2008.

From the guide to the Veterans of Austin and Travis County Collection AR. 2007. 007., 1939-2007, (Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, )