Veteran is 2,000 to record story at NY museum

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— A 94-year-old upstate man who flew bombers during World War II is the 2,000 veteran to record memories of his service for the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center.

Museum officials say Charles Evans on Monday told his wartime story to the head of the oral history program at the museum, located in Evans' hometown of Saratoga Springs.

The program was launched on Veterans' Day in 2000. It involves professional military historians using digital technology to preserve the story of New York's veterans in their own words. All the interviews are available to the public and researchers at the museum.

Evans was working as a civilian pilot when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941. He went on to fly 30 combat missions in Europe in B-24 Liberators.