KWE Volunteers Welcome

"I can't find anything on your site about volunteering (other than about you and your current transcribers).  I'm not a transcriber, but I do have an English-Technical Writing master's degree and am interested in helping.  My uncle (by marriage) was a pilot during the Korean War.  I did not get to know him because he died in a plane crash years later after returning home safe and sound.  I would be happy to help, but your site doesn't mention what you need volunteer-wise (unless I've overlooked it).  I have a large family and lots of friends, and they have lots of friends and extended family, etc., etc.  I know you're running this site on your own, but perhaps you could develop a link for "Volunteers" to help with what you need in addition to contributions.  Many volunteers, including myself, would be happy to help with interviews, writing, research, transcribing, Flash, databases, SQL, supplies, topography, archival searches, and legal BS to help you out.

I think this is a fantastic database of information and am more than willing to help you as needed.  I just hope I can.  American veterans of all wars deserve our utmost respect and help and perseverance in finding the truth.  In addition, helpers, both friend and "enemy," plus allies of all different nationalities, deserve the truth of what happened to their loved ones or can help us by the same token.  I believe more volunteers can help you in this task."

Jennifer is right.  More volunteers helping the KWE would be a great asset to this growing website.  So if any of our readers want to lend a hand, volunteer opportunities are listed below.

• The KWE is based in Illinois, making it impossible for Lynnita to do research in the National Archives.  There is a wealth of information there that can be accessed by those who live in that area of the United States.  If you live near the National Archives and want to volunteer, contact us.
• Like to type?  The KWE added the entire contents of the National Archives' Reference Information Paper 103 (The Korean War compiled by Rebecca L. Collier) to the website in 2006.  It would be great if the entire contents of the following Reference Information could also be added: Reference Information Paper 103: "Records Relating to American Prisoners of War and Missing-in-Action from the Korean Conflict and During the Cold War Era," compiled by Tim Wehrkamp (1997).  The publication is 158 pages and must be obtained from the National Archives.  The publication can be ordered by mail and typed in the comfort of your own home around your own busy schedule.
• We would like someone to research the names of all the ships that served in Korean waters during the Korean War.  We'd like to post information about each ship as well a picture of each.
• The KWE's Topics pages include "Adopt-a-Tape."  You don't have to be a professional transcriber to transcribe these tape recordings.
• It would be great if someone would research what college dissertations have been written on the subject of the Korean War so we could post that information on the KWE.  It might also be possible to receive permission from the authors to publish their dissertation on the KWE.
• So far the KWE's Maps page is blank.  Those interested in cartography might like to tackle this job.
• The KWE has continued concern over the fact that black Americans have not been interviewed about their Korean War experiences.  The Korean War was not fought by white Americans only.  This void needs to be filled.  Maybe a KWE volunteer could help us out in that respect.
• The KWE has no one page devoted specifically to the contributions of other nations in the Korean War.  Volunteers who would like to begin an international hunt for Korean War information are invited to "go for it!"
• Funding is a continual concern of the KWE.  Perhaps some volunteers will step forward to try to find specific potential funding sources that can help the KWE continue its strong growth pattern.
• A database of Korean War Killed in Action would be an excellent addition to the website.  At the moment, visitors must be directed to other websites for that information since the KWE has no such database.
• The KWE could use some publicity in communities throughout the United States.  Interested in Public Relations?  Put your PR skills to work for the KWE.
• If you've got a camera and there is a Korean War monument within driving distance of your home, the KWE would like a picture of it as well as information about how the monument came into being.
• Are you a bookworm?  The KWE would like to post an extensive list of books that exist on the topic of the Korean War, along with a synopsis about each book.  This would take considerable research.  There are a lot more books out there about the Korean War than one might think.
• For those who like to surf the internet, the KWE has a Links page called "Best on the Net."  If you surf onto a website not mentioned on the KWE's links page, tell us about it and give us a synopsis of what it is about.
• The Silver Star page of the KWE is ever-expanding as we locate Silver Star citations.  Citations can be found on the internet and elsewhere if there are those willing to help us find them.
• If we had citations for those who received the Distinguished Service Cross, we would post them on the KWE.
• Supplies needed for the KWE: Black and colored ink for Lynnita's HP Photosmart C3150 All-in-One Printer-Scanner-Copier (HP Inkjet print cartridges #92 & #93).  Also three-cut regular-sized file folders are in short supply.
• The Korean War Educator is in need of legal representation from time to time.  If there are any attorneys out there who are licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois who would be willing to help the KWE with legal advice, please volunteer!

More volunteer opportunities will be posted in the weeks ahead.  The above is just a drop in the bucket of all the things that need to be done in order to expand the Korean War Educator.  Interested in volunteering?  Contact lynnita@koreanwar-educator.org or phone Lynnita at 217-253-2535 (Mon-Tues 9 a.m.-4 p.m.); 217-253-4620 (Lynnita's home); or 217-253-5171 (Lynnita's store, Thurs-Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.