CANTON -- SUNY Canton welcomed more than 30 World War II veterans at a Veterans' Living History Ceremony Friday.

About 200 family members, friends, and area politicians attended to show support for veterans.

The event included the first public viewing of a 20-minute slideshow with a soundtrack of oral histories from World War II veterans by Michael T. Magilligan, assistant librarian at Southworth Library.

The SUNY Canton Veterans Association presented each veteran with a SUNY Canton challenge coin. Challenge coins are typically given in the military to prove membership, award special achievement and enhance moral. At SUNY Canton, the Veterans Association issued the coin as a symbol of pride and camaraderie, according to William J. Fassinger, the faculty advisor for the student club.

"I couldn't believe how willing these brave men were to let me into their homes and share their lives with me," Magilligan said. "I didn't just interview them, they've become my friends."

Magilligan began recording the stories of North Country veterans in June and made copies of their old photographs. "When you hear these stories told to you by the people who were there it's as if you are right beside them," he said.

The stories ranged from storming the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, The Battle of the Bulge, and attacks against the Japanese in the Pacific Theater from approximately 70 years ago.

Magilligan will add all of the digital content to a database at Southworth Library. They will also be submitted to the Library of Congress and the New York State Veterans' History Museum in Saratoga.