At our first Fall 2013 veterans' program at NYPL, veterans from several different generations and branches of services told their own stories, responding to the mainstream media depiction of veterans and military life. This panel was entitled Our Stories To Tell and is the first event in a series of events this Fall 2013 that are collaboratively produced by veterans around New York City as they tell their own stories to both veterans and civilians as a way to fill in the gaps of history that we don't often hear about.

Join us for several upcoming programs in November and December as we listen to veterans tell their own stories. All programs are free and open to the public!

Photo Credit: US ArmyNew York Veteran History Series: Vietnam
Tuesday, November 5, 6 - 8 p.m.
South Court Auditorium, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Join NYC veterans of the Vietnam War for a panel discussion about the stories that have come to dominate the way we think about them, and the personal narratives that may dispel these myths.

This panel will be moderated by Philip F. Napoli, author of Bringing It All Back Home: An Oral History of New York City's Vietnam Veterans.

A representative from Worforce1 will be present before the event to discuss resources for both veterans and civilians who are navigating the job search. Single Stop materials for veterans and their families will also be available.

Lioness MovieVeterans Week Film Screening: Lioness with Director Q+A
Tuesday, November 12, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Bronx Library Center

How did a group of female support soldiers, mechanics, supply clerks and engineers end up fighting alongside the Marines in some of the bloodiest counterinsurgency battles of the Iraq war?

Find out at the screening of Lioness, a film that honors the stories of female combat veterans.

Q+A with film director Daria Sommers after the screening!

Socialize with refreshments served outside the auditorium before the screening. Visit with Single Stop and Women Veterans and Families Network.

Words After WarDanger Close: Writing War in the Workshop
Thursday, November 21, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Hudson Park Library

Part of an ongoing reading series that includes both veterans and civilians whose work engages with war and its aftermath. ProPublica investigative reporter Megan McCloskey will serve as moderator for a panel of veteran writers to include Matt Gallagher, Phil Klay, Maurice Decaul and Mariette Kalinowski.

The event is made possible through a partnership between the New York Public Library and Words After War. Words After War is a non-profit literary organization with a mission to change the national conversation around veteran issues by including civilians in that conversation. Words After War provides high-quality literary programming for veterans, their families and civilian supporters. They aim to build a supportive, creative community through writing workshops, studio retreats, literary mentorships and public events.

Captain in the WAAC (February 1943)New York Veteran History Series: Women Warriors
Saturday, December 7, 4 - 6 p.m.
South Court Auditorium, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

In January 2013 Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced that the longstanding official ban on women serving in combat roles would be lifted. Dating back to the American Revolutionary War women have served in the military in various capacities—officially in auxiliary roles, but many de facto direct combat roles as well.

Join us for a panel of NYC women veterans as they discuss their experiences of American military service and what is to come for a fully integrated American military.

This event is produced in collaboration with Women Veterans and Families Netowork. The panel will be moderated by Meg McLagan, director of the film Lioness.

Ongoing Veteran Programming and Services

Corporal Paul Dietrich and Volunteer Interviewer Tom ReichertNYC Veterans Oral History Project: The NYC Veterans Oral History Project is conducted at The New York Public Library in collaboration with The Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress. The community-based project is supported by volunteer interviewers who record the personal accounts of American war veterans in neighborhoods around the city so that future generations may understand an important part of history from the people who lived it.

Please e-mail alexandrakelly@nypl.org and emilyjacobson@nypl.org or call New York Public Library at 212.340.0971 to schedule an appointment to record your story.

Recordings will be stored in the permanent archive at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

Veterans Single Stop at Mid-Manhattan Library: Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., trained counsellors help veterans to identify and secure benefits they are eligible to receive including Medicare/Medicaid, VA benefits, TANF as well as state and city programs.

For more information, visit singlestopusa.org