Participants will spend a day aboard the USS New Jersey with historians and veterans, as they discuss the leaders, battles and everyday acts of heroism on the frontlines of the Second World War. They will learn how they can participate in WHYY and the Library of Congress’ Veterans’ History Project to gather the stories of those impacted by World War II and preserve this period of history. The project serves as a complement to director Ken Burns’ much-anticipated documentary, The War, a seven-part series premiering on WHYY in late September that explores the fortunes of the men and women whose lives were impacted by one of the greatest cataclysms in human history.

Highlights of the day-long adventure include a private tour and exclusive access to the USS New Jersey. Participants will meet author Tom Clavin, who discusses Halsey’s Typhoon, the book he coauthored with Robert Drury, and tour the exhibit of the revered admiral onboard. They will speak with veterans of the frontline and homefront about their experiences. In additional, they will learn how the Library of Congress’ Veterans’ History Project helped Burns make his latest documentary and have the opportunity to view footage from The War before it airs on television.

“We are delighted to offer this unique program on the USS New Jersey,” says Maeve Hartney, associate vice president of special programs at Elderhostel. “This Day of Discovery offers a personal look at individual stories of Second World War and the opportunity to tour and learn about this famous battleship.”

Elderhostel, founded in 1975, is the world’s largest not-for-profit educational travel organization for adults. Approximately 160,000 people enroll in Elderhostel’s nearly 8,000 programs annually. Elderhostel provides exceptional learning adventures throughout the United States and Canada and in more than 90 countries around the world. In 2004, Elderhostel launched Road Scholar to meet the needs of a new generation of independent educational travelers. For more information, please visit www.elderhostel.org or www.roadscholar.org.