We All Have a Story: Veteran's History Project

My dad loved to tell his stories of being in World War II and he did have many dramatic tales, especially of having saved lives and delivering a Japanese POW’s letter to his parents in Tokyo, a major act of kindness involving much risk. I really wish I had recorded these but I carry dad’s stories and share them his honor. Our elders, in particular, have much to share and life lessons we could all learn from.

The Library of Congress is gathering these by sending out volunteers to video record in the Veteran’s History Project, loc.gov.vets. To me, one of the most special aspects of this oral history project is that it is not only the “Greatest Generation,” but also even young people coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan whose stories are equally precious and just as important. I think we are learning that every generation has true greatness.

How to Participate in the Project

Participant Resources

• About Partners
• Fieldkit Companion Video
• Eagle Scout Leadership Project
• Hosting community events
• List of Founding Partners

A participant may be a veteran, an interviewer, or person donating a veteran’s collection (learn more about what we collect). Students in the 10th grade and above may also participate and there are special resources for educators and students.

Take These Four Easy Steps...

1. Print the Veterans History Project Field Kit (required forms) 
   
2. Prepare for the interview  
3. Conduct the interview
4. Send your collection to the Library of Congress (Keep a copy for yourself!)

Love Lifts You Up: Donate Your Extra Miles So Military Families Can See Each Other

If you have frequent flier miles you are not planning to use, give them to service members who have been injured in the line of duty and need to be flown to get proper medical treatment. This can also enable family members to visit.  Check out fisherhouse.org to discover all you need to know about Fisher House Foundation’s Hero Miles Program.

 Love has an enormous power to heal so sharing your unused miles stretches YOUR love a mighty long way! www.FisherHouse.org

Assist at a Local Fisher House

Please contact your area Fisher House manager:  Current Houses
NEW! Find local opportunities on our new Volunteer Opportunities page.

At our Fisher Houses, volunteer opportunities include: bringing in meals and snacks for residents, helping with general housekeeping chores, organizing goods drives such as paper product drives, cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, etc.  Also, there are often young mothers and fathers in the homes who may feel overwhelmed, our volunteers offer babysitting service and help play with the children to give the parents a break and some quiet time.

During the holidays we often have volunteers who will help with decorating, children toy drives, and gifts for those staying at the home through the holidays.  

Some Fisher Houses have a ‘wish list’ of items that the manager would like to add and/or replace in the house.  These wish lists have included large items such as children’s back yard play sets, barbeque grills, laptop computers for each room, outdoor tables and chairs, as well as smaller items such as books, DVDs, and small appliances.

We also welcome volunteers to tend to the gardens surrounding the house.  Although the homes and landscape are maintained by the military base and the Veterans Administration, both are limited in offering enhancements to the landscape.  Our volunteers often step in and plant the seasonal flowers and shrubbery to make the homes an even more inviting environment.

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This Memorial Day, Honor Living Military Veterans: www.GiveAnHour.com

Lend an Ear

Counselors can contribute enormously to our troops when the return back at the end of their service term. I honestly think my Ex-Marine dad has PTSD but that posttraumatic stress was not even acknowledged until long after the Viet Nam War and only through the activism of many.  

Therapists and mental health professionals can really help our military veterans by volunteering their own service through the organization Give an Hour (giveanhour.org) and this is extremely helpful to families of vets. Listening can change lives for the better here in a big way.

Love Lifts You Up

If you have frequent flier miles you are not planning to use, give them to service members who have been injured in the line of duty and need to be flown to get proper medical treatment. This can also enable family members to visit.  Check out fisherhouse.org to discover all you need to know about Fisher House Foundation’s Hero Miles Program. Love has an enormous power to heal so sharing your unused miles stretches YOUR love a mighty long way!