It’s Valentine’s Day. It seems everyone has love on their minds today—at least half of us, anyway. Last year, the National Retail Federation predicted that 54.7% of the United States adult population was planning to celebrate the holiday with their significant others, friends or pets to the tune of nearly $20 billion. Yes, billion with a “b!” This year, the Veterans History Project (VHP) has something you can do for Valentine’s Day that won’t cost you a dime. You can thank us later.
VHP and the Library of Congress Graphic Design Office are working together to create some new bookmarks that help encourage people to participate with VHP, while providing a sample of what’s inside the archive beyond oral histories. With more than 110,000 collections and counting, it was tough to pick just a handful of images that cover the wide breadth of photographs, correspondence and creative works VHP holds. So, we narrowed them down to two handfuls. Here’s where you, dear reader, come in. Out of the 10 images below, let us know which one you love most. If you have a one- to four-word catch phrase to go with it, send us that too [i.e. Hurry up and wait!]. We will use the most popular images on the new bookmarks.
Let us know your choice in one of the following ways by Friday, March 1:
- reply in the comments section below; or
- send a quick email to [email protected]; or
- stop by the VHP Information Center (Jefferson Building, room LJ-G51) and tell us in person.
It’s just that easy! It won’t cost you anything but a few minutes of your time, and it doesn’t require a “plus one.” You’re welcome.
Frances Wills Thorpe seated in uniform. Frances Wills Thorpe Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/37683.
Dennis J. Sullivan eating donuts provided by the Salvation Army in France. Dennis J. Sullivan Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/28523.
Illustrated envelope. Sumner Grant Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/20970.
Cristina A. Frisby in Army uniform. Cristina A. Frisby Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/53197.
Sergeant McCoy in heart-shaped sunglasses. Aldo Stephen Panzieri Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/31863.
Joe Thompson, Jr. playing poker in France. Joe Thompson, Jr. Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/9437.
Charles Evert Pulliam in Army uniform leaning on information truck in Bosnia. Charles Evert Pulliam Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/10733.
Joseph Arden Beimfohr standing on prosthetic legs. Joseph Arden Beimfohr Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/54904.
Dawn Maria Alvarez Stratton in Marine Corps uniform standing in Bahrain desert. Dawn Maria Alvarez Stratton Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/39172.
Reby Cary seated in Coast Guard uniform. Reby Cary Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/58790.
We’ll be excited to reveal the chosen images on Friday, March 15, and begin sharing the printed bookmarks later in the spring. Thanks in advance for letting us know which one you love most!
February 14, 2019 at 11:39 am
#4 :Cristina A. Frisby in Army uniform. Cristina A. Frisby Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/53197.
February 14, 2019 at 12:38 pm
#10
February 14, 2019 at 1:21 pm
#5 “we ❤️ veterans!”
February 14, 2019 at 1:23 pm
#6 “We don’t gamble with veterans history.”
February 14, 2019 at 3:52 pm
#1 Frances Wills Thorpe seated in uniform.
February 14, 2019 at 6:51 pm
#1
February 15, 2019 at 7:33 am
Dennis J. Sullivan since this is about WW1 & we should honor our veterans due to losing 50,000 veterans.
February 15, 2019 at 9:01 am
They are all wonderful. Impossible to choose. Use them all!
February 15, 2019 at 9:11 am
#1 Frances Wills Thorpe seated in uniform; and
#9 Dawn Maria Alvarez Stratton in Marine Corps uniform standing in Bahrain desert.
February 15, 2019 at 9:25 am
My favorite is #2!
February 15, 2019 at 9:50 am
#5 Heart&Soul
February 15, 2019 at 10:31 am
#1 and #5
February 15, 2019 at 10:41 am
#1, followed closely by #5. (Can I have 2 votes?)
Can’t wait to see which is the winner! What a great project.
-Sarah L.
February 15, 2019 at 11:10 am
#1
Frances Wills Thorpe seated in uniform. Frances Wills Thorpe Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/37683.
They are really all wonderful!
February 15, 2019 at 12:20 pm
#10
February 15, 2019 at 1:28 pm
number 6 , please.
February 15, 2019 at 2:18 pm
Frances Wills Thorpe seated in uniform. Frances Wills Thorpe Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/37683.
This is my favorite!
February 15, 2019 at 9:36 pm
#10
Coast Guard “Always Ready”
February 16, 2019 at 12:35 am
#7 would make a great bookmark. Actually, any of these photos are wonderful, but I really like #7.
February 16, 2019 at 10:03 am
#10 love a man in uniform
February 17, 2019 at 11:55 am
I’m voting for #1, Frances Wills Thorpe. I loved all the photos, and each of them is valuable in its own way. But right now we need to recognize black military women.
February 18, 2019 at 12:25 pm
Frances Wills Thorpe seated in uniform. Frances Wills Thorpe Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/37683.
February 19, 2019 at 9:22 am
#9 Dawn Maria Alvarez Stratton
February 20, 2019 at 9:42 am
#1
February 22, 2019 at 10:31 am
#1
February 22, 2019 at 11:19 am
Vote me for #1.
February 22, 2019 at 9:04 pm
#1.
Frances Wills Thorpe seated in uniform. Frances Wills Thorpe Collection. Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/37683.
“““““““““““““““““““““““““““
Thanks!
February 23, 2019 at 2:14 pm
All of them! But IF you have to choose:
1,3,5,9,10
February 28, 2019 at 3:33 pm
#1 but they are all awesome!
March 1, 2019 at 4:27 am
#6 Great picture of soldiers being soldiers.