I just spent a wonderful evening telling American history stories (and one tall tale) to a group of nearly a dozen women.  With all the experiences they have had in life, they were enthralled to hear some parts of history that they never knew, and bits and pieces of stories they hadn't fully heard before.  It's important for us to know about our own culture and stories that make up the "American experience", and so much of that can get lost if we're not actively preserving it.  The stories also got them talking about tales from their own families--these also shouldn't be lost!  We need to tell and hear each other's stories....that's how we pass culture to the next generation.  Culture is best transmitted person to person, in the spirit of love and friendship.