Veterans Storytelling Held By Elmhurst Library, American Legion

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst Public Library and American Legion Post #187 will host a Veterans Storytelling Event. Post commander John Scudder, a retired First Sergeant in the Army after 30 years of service, said in a release this event is a way for veterans who served in a variety of ways to share their stories with the community.

“The American Legion is an important resource in our community,” Kimberly Calkins, Programming Coordinator at Elmhurst Public Library, said in a release. “It provides an important connection to the veterans in our community, giving crucial support to those coming back from service. This event is a great way to celebrate the bravery and service of these great men and women.”

The roster of storytellers will prepare their stories under the mentorship of Scott Whitehair, founder of Story Lab Chicago. According to the release, Whitehair created Story Lab Chicago in 2011. He is an international storyteller, producer, and instructor living in Chicago and was featured on NPR, Risk! Podcast, Sirius XM and is a 2-time Moth Slam Winner.

“[Storytelling] is about connection,” Whitehair said in a release. “In a world where we’re often pulled apart by technology or geography, it’s a chance to come together and talk to each other. Hearing their story gives us a chance to walk in their shoes, understand them for a moment.”

Whitehair does storytelling events for all ages, for businesses, and creative purposes, but to him, the veteran storytelling events are uniquely memorable.

“It’s an honor for me to have a small part in helping vets have a platform to tell their stories. These are not stories you normally get to hear,” he said in a release. “This is history from people who lived it.”

Elmhurst's storytelling event will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17 at the American Legion, 310 W. Butterfield Road in Elmhurst. You can Register by calling (630) 279-8696, or online elmlib.org/veterans.

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