Tucked away in attics or closets in some homes may be memorabilia of wars past that the Southeast Missourian would like to include in an upcoming volume, "Heartland Heroes: A Tribute to the Veterans of World War I and II."

The 250-page book will feature photos and memorabilia from the two wars submitted by readers in Cape Girardeau, Scott and Bollinger counties. Carol Robert, who is compiling the book, hopes to acquire more than 700 photographs.

The book will have three sections. The first section will have selected photos and memorabilia. The second section will include pictures, preferably in uniform, of those who served, including information like branch, rank, decorations, induction and discharge dates, and places of battle or service. The third section will feature the obituaries from local newspapers of those who died in the war.

Robert wants to meet with local men and women who served in either war. She will meet them at the Southeast Missourian, local VFW posts or at their homes. She has a camera, laptop computer and a scanner, and can scan letters, photos, medals or other memorabilia the veterans and their family members want to include in the book.

"What people may think we're not looking for are some of the items I would really like to see," Robert said.

That includes letters the families and the veterans exchanged, journals, "V-mail" letters and telegrams. Others may have held on to ration coupons, war bonds, weapons, newspaper clippings, savings stamps books -- all these and more, plus snapshots from family photo albums, will become a record of those two great wars.

"This is a big part of history," Robert said.

It's a part of history that is fading. Robert said she was told that an average 7,500 World War II veterans are dying each week, and only about 200 World War I veterans in the country are still living.

"These local men and women who served our country, some even died for our country, deserve local recognition," Robert said.

So far she has received over 200 photos and bits of memorabilia, but still needs many more to complete the volume. Robert visits the local VFW halls each week and can meet with veterans there in a private room. Veterans or their relatives may call her at 335-6611, extension 106, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to set up an appointment.

The deadline for submitting information is June 18. The book will be available in November.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160