Richard and Susan Gouldin of Warsaw, Virginia, made a remarkable discovery in their attic – a pair of scrapbooks belonging to Richard’s late uncle, Major Robert Alfred Gouldin, who drowned while serving in World War II. These scrapbooks contained Polaroid photographs that offered a glimpse into Major Gouldin’s life and the work of the 388th Engineering Regiment, an African American unit that built the Alcan Highway during the war.
Recognizing the historical significance of their find, the Gouldins enlisted the help of archivist Sylvia Marshall from the Virginia War Memorial to preserve and digitize the contents of the scrapbooks. Marshall spent nearly a year cataloging each photo and page, highlighting not only the military history captured in the albums but also rare glimpses into the lives of Indigenous people in the northwest.
The Gouldins expressed gratitude for Marshall’s dedication to preserving their family’s legacy, taking a trip to retrace Major Gouldin’s final steps and visiting his resting place in the Netherlands American Cemetery. They emphasized the importance of preserving such stories to ensure that history is not forgotten.
The discovery underscores the idea that valuable historical treasures can often be found in unexpected places, waiting to tell their stories. The Gouldins’ experience serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served in the military and the importance of honoring and preserving their legacies.
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