OPINION LETTER – by Cathy Lazarus
Dear History Enthusiasts,
If you are passionate about history, as I am, you can appreciate the new technologies that help bring the past to life and inspire curiosity in future generations.
But there is an important difference between historical interpretation and historical accuracy.
Recently, I have noticed a growing number of AI-generated videos and social media posts about World War II prisoner-of-war camps, including Camp Hearne. While some contain elements of truth, many combine documented facts with speculation, fictional stories, and images that bear little resemblance to the actual history or appearance of Camp Hearne during World War II.
What concerns me most is that some of these posts include a “Send a Gift” or similar donation feature. A casual viewer could reasonably assume that a contribution supports the preservation of the historic site being featured. To my knowledge, these donations do not benefit Camp Hearne or ROLL CALL – Friends of Camp Hearne. That potential for confusion is deeply troubling.
For more than two decades, ROLL CALL – Friends of Camp Hearne has worked to preserve and interpret one of Texas’ most significant World War II historical sites. With the support of the City of Hearne, historical organizations, local businesses, volunteers, and individual donors, they have carefully researched, preserved, and shared this remarkable story. Like many small nonprofit museums, they operate with limited resources. Every exhibit, every artifact preserved, and every educational program represents the dedication of people who believe this history matters.
ROLL CALL cannot compete with the volume of AI-generated content appearing online. Nor do they have the financial resources to produce an endless stream of videos and social media posts. What they do is remain committed to presenting history based on archival research, documented evidence, photographs, government records, and the personal accounts of prisoners, guards, and local citizens. History deserves better than to be reshaped by algorithms that favor engagement over accuracy. Once misinformation is repeated often enough, it begins to replace documented history in the public’s mind. That should concern all of us who value historical preservation.
ROLL CALL’s mission has never changed. They will continue to preserve the objects, documents, photographs, artifacts, and personal stories that tell the authentic story of Camp Hearne. They will continue to welcome visitors, answer questions, and share what the historical record actually tells them.
If you believe that preserving authentic history matters, I hope you will continue to support organizations that are committed to careful research and responsible interpretation.
I want to be clear that I am not opposed to using AI. In fact, As ROLL CALL’s Executive Director, I use ChatGPT as an editorial and research assistant in developing Camp Hearne materials. The key difference is that every narrative and illustration is researched, directed, reviewed, edited, and approved before publication. Technology can help us visualize history, but it can never replace the responsibility to tell it truthfully.
Thank you for your continued support of ROLL CALL – Friends of Camp Hearne efforts to ensure that the true story of Camp Hearne is not lost.
Cathy Lazarus
Calvert, Texas
July 17, 2026
Please visit Camp Hearne Historic Site & Exhibit website www.camphearne.com