For several years now, I have known that Texas Tech has been actively soliciting archives of the Viet Nam War. I have decided to send them the stuff that my family does not want nor care to "mess with" such as copies of orders, a flight suit, etc. Besides, it's a good way to tell our DMZ Dustoff story.

I will also be sending them a copy of the 237th photo library, now over 1700 photos, that most of you have contributed to. (The photos are also being sent to the Smithsonian.) There are some other 237th items I have accumulated that I will be sending to them, also.

Following is a letter I received this week from Archivist Ty Lovelady at Texa Tech. BTW, they will pay for shipping of materials, all you have to do is box it up.

Think about where your stuff will go when you are gone, some of us sooner than others!!

Phil

Dear Mr. Marshall:



My name is Ty Lovelady and I am the Associate Archivist at the Vietnam Archive.  We would be very interested in your Vietnam War related collection documenting your service as a Dustoff pilot.



If you email me your mailing address, I can send you a prepaid FedEx slip so that you can mail the material to us at our expense and at your leisure.  Instructions on how to use the slip will be provided.  Once your material arrives, I will create a collection in your name in which to place your donated items.  I will then send you two deed of gift forms.  One will be for you to sign and return to us and the other will be for you to keep for your records.



Your materials will be processed for storage in the archive to ensure your collection lasts as long as physically possible and will be made available to researchers who visit us.  This includes the creation of a finding aid (inventory), placement in acid free lidded boxes, and storage in a temperature, light, and humidity controlled state-of-the-art archival facility.



With your permission, we will also digitize the non-copyrighted materials in your collection to include photos, slides, documents, personnel records, letters, diaries, films (8mm and 16mm) audio recordings (reel-to-reel and cassette), etc….  If you would like, we can return copies of these materials to you on CDROM or DVD and place copies online on the Virtual Vietnam Archive allowing free Internet access to your collection.   This also means you, your family, and your friends will always have unlimited access to your materials that are online or on CD/DVD.



Thank you very much for your interest in the Vietnam Archive.  If you have any questions please feel free to let me know.  I look forward to working with your collection.



Sincerely,



Ty