Local Students from Southern Ohio Preserve Veterans’ Stories in Nation’s Capital

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Chillicothe, Ohio — Students from Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center in Ross County recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to deliver dozens of oral history interviews with local veterans to the Library of Congress as part of the national Veterans History Project.

The Voices of Freedom program at the career-tech center, which serves students from Ross and Pickaway counties in southern Ohio, emphasizes hands-on learning that connects classroom education with real-world civic responsibility. This year, six students — Makenzie Hoffman, Laila Hoffman, Adreannalyn Payne, Abigail Palumbo, Austin Bartchy, and Paisley Welsh — joined instructor Ms. McCaulla and Ms. Widdig on the annual trip.

Throughout the semester, participants interviewed 41 veterans, ultimately submitting 37 completed oral histories to the Library of Congress. The project preserves firsthand accounts of military service for future generations in the national archive.

In Washington, D.C., the group visited key historic sites, including the U.S. Capitol, Smithsonian museums, national memorials, and Arlington National Cemetery. They participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a guided remembrance activity at the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, where students placed flowers at individual benches.

The trip also included a private tour of the Library of Congress following the students’ presentation of the interviews.

Roots in Southern Ohio

Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center, located in Chillicothe in Ross County, draws students from across southern Ohio communities. The area has a strong military tradition, with many local veterans from Ross, Pickaway, and neighboring counties contributing their stories to the Voices of Freedom initiative. The program not only documents service but also fosters appreciation for history among students in a region where honoring veterans remains a core community value.

This effort builds on the program’s ongoing work in central and southern Ohio, where students regularly engage with local veterans through interviews, events, and collaborations that strengthen ties between youth and those who served.

The Library of Congress Veterans History Project, established by Congress in 2000, collects and preserves personal narratives from U.S. veterans across all conflicts. Contributions like those from Pickaway-Ross help ensure these stories remain accessible to researchers, educators, and the public.

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