In the state with the highest per capita number of veterans, a local woman is working to videotape veterans with an Alaska connection as they relate their military-service and life memories. Since 2003 Retired Air Force Col. Suellyn Wright Novak and a few other individuals have interviewed 58 veterans. Eight are from Chugiak-Eagle River. With each passing year the oral history project is gaining momentum. Last year the team conducted 28 interviews. Novak's goal is to do 50 interviews per year. She's interested in talking to people with any Alaska connection who served in any capacity in any war. After the interview, the veteran will get a copy of the videotape — a keepsake families treasure, Novak said.

The interviews Novak and others have done have opened the door to unforgettable exchanges.

After interviewing Drafin “Buck” Delkettie, Novak did some research and discovered the World War II veteran was entitled to service medals he never received. Just a few days before Delkettie passed away, a ceremony was held at the Alaska Native Medical Center to award Delkettie the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

“I'll never forget the look on his face,” Novak said. Ultimately, Novak hopes to use the collection of oral histories to create a book and open the Alaska Veterans Memorial Museum, which has been talked about since 2000. The book would be used as a fundraiser for the museum.

Alaska has about 70,000 veterans, yet it is the only state without a veterans museum, Novak said. Between the VFW, the Air Force, the Eagle River Presbyterian Church and the Alaska Veterans Memorial Museum, Novak has more than 20 volunteer jobs. It keeps her busy, but it doesn't stunt her enthusiasm for what she wants to accomplish. “I'm doing what I love, and trying to build this museum is my passion,” she said.

Novak is an amateur military historian who does living histories in schools. She shows up in classrooms in period uniforms and talks to kids in first person on topics such as what led to a particular war and what the economy was like at the time. She brings wartime artifacts and reads excerpts from journals. This background inspires her interest in the oral histories. “I really get into these stories because I use them when I go into the schools to do living histories,” Novak said.

While Novak and other volunteers have already done a lot of work on the museum and oral histories, they can't do it all alone. Before the museum can be built, strong community support is necessary, Novak said. Despite the hundreds of hours Novak has put into getting the message out, she's not seeing a lot of memberships for the Alaska Veterans Memorial Museum, which is a way for people to donate money to support the effort.

Depending on an individual's status as a veteran, active-duty soldier, civilian, student or senior, memberships cost $15 to $30 per year. Family and group memberships are also available. “I'm not getting the response I want, let's put it that way,” Novak said. A $25,000 state grant provided the startup money for the museum project. That money has already been spent. This year Gov. Sarah Palin vetoed for a second time an additional $25,000 for the museum out the state capital budget.

That money would have enabled organizers to complete a feasibility study for the museum and start applying for grants. Without state backing, the future of the museum depends on private funding. The Alaska Veterans Memorial Museum recently received a grant for $5,000 from Friends of the National Rifle Association to transcribe the oral histories.

Also, proceeds from the slippery salmon event and spaghetti supper at Bear Paw Festival will go to the museum. Novak also expects to see new momentum come out of military history displays, which will debut in Anchorage museums in coming months. A display on the Aleutian Tigers is planned to open at the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum sometime in June; and the Alaska Scouts will be featured at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center.

That display, set to open in September, will include the oral histories from Delkettie and three other veterans. Novak thinks the oral history and museum projects could really catch on in a place like Chugiak-Eagle River, where so many active and retired military personnel live, but it takes people who are willing to get involved. “I need hands, feet and voices to get the message out and do consider coming in for an interview,” Novak said. Novak can be reached at 696-4904.