As the Veterans History Project celebrates its 25th anniversary, we reflect on the extraordinary collection of narratives and artifacts that have been entrusted to us over the years. These stories, told through interviews, letters, photographs and personal mementos, form a powerful record of military service and sacrifice across generations.
To honor this milestone, we are sharing a 25-part blog series highlighting the voices of veterans, the individuals who shaped and sustained the Project and the deep impact these stories continue to have on families, researchers and communities nationwide.
The following is a guest blog post by Monica Mohindra, Director of the Veterans History Project. Under her leadership, VHP continues to preserve and share the stories of U.S. veterans while expanding access and engagement, honoring its 25-year legacy and reaching new generations of audiences.
We invite you to follow the full series here and join us in celebrating the legacy and future of this important work.
Reflecting on 25 years of the Veterans History Project, I’m reminded this anniversary is not just a milestone for the Project, but a celebration of every voice and individual’s effort that has helped forge this living archive rooting us to our foundational spirit of service and resilience. Twenty-five years ago, through unanimous consent, the United States Congress passed a bill that established the Veterans History Project. Then-Representative Ron Kind (WI-3) said on the House floor that the bill “directs the Library of Congress to establish a national archive for the collection and preservation of the oral history, through videotaped testimony, of our veterans.”
Explaining the value to young people, he continued, “in the 22nd or even 23rd, 24th century we’ll be able to access through the internet the videotape statements of their great-great-great grandfather or grandmother who served during the 2nd World War, Korea or the Vietnam war, The Gulf War. What an incredibly powerful history lesson that would be. And future historians being able to research this part of history by using first-hand accounts.”
He went on to address why he felt that the Library of Congress is uniquely suited to archive the Project through illustrating the American Folklife Center’s existing demonstration of expertise and technological capability in a collections effort that videotaped community leaders across the country speaking to “how they would like their communities to be remembered in 100 or 200 years from now”
In support of the bill, he and other members, you can hear directly from the House debate here, built on the April 2000 resolution naming the “American GI the Person of the 20th Century,” declaring there could be no better way to honor such veterans then by preserving their first-person accounts. They invited families, loved ones, members of veteran service organizations, students, libraries and historical societies to join together for the benefit of the nation to participate in a worthwhile project- “one that will require the cooperation of countless people across the country, but especially from our veterans who can leave an incredible gift; a gift that will keep on giving generation after generation.”
Years later, we see that it is an enduring promise linking the service and sacrifice of U.S. military veterans to their families and communities, and all of us to our collective and shared history. Now, more than 120,000 veterans’ stories fulfill that call to share, as experts of their experience, the collections of these first-person narratives Today that corpus offers unique perspectives from Alaska to Puerto Rico and Maine to Guam, and everywhere between.
Like many people across the country, until the recent death of a loved one, I was unaware of my own direct connection to historic events and individuals that shape our shared national identity. In the wake of that loss, it became clear that my family had preserved the documentation of the personal experiences of one of my great-great grandfathers who served in the Civil War. Discovering that, anchors my understanding of my family’s role and responsibilities to our country. While the Veterans History Project legislation begins our common cause here at World War I, I have personally realized the generational gift described at its founding and am filled with a renewed sense of gratitude for the thousands of individual veterans, families, volunteers and partners whose efforts ensure the benefits of the Project for us all.
In the season of gratitude, from Veterans Day through Thanksgiving and the holidays, we invite you to join us to help kick off the Project’s silver anniversary year with 25 blog posts from multiple viewpoints, including former directors and staff. We will explore the origins, lessons, and growth of this participatory national endeavor, and unearth new pathways to understanding from the multitude of veteran voices. As we all step together toward another momentous anniversary, 250 years of e pluribus unum, there is no better time to stop and listen to those who raised their right hand and embodied that compact, shoulder to shoulder: * above all, aiming high, always faithful, and always ready, not for self but for country, in service to the health of, and to defend, – whether in a fox hole, over ledgers, with a scalpel or a drone – this grateful nation.
From all of us at the Veterans History Project, thank you for being part of this important work of preserving the stories that remind us who we are and the sacrifices that have shaped our nation.
*The mottos listed above represent the branches of the U.S. military: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard and Space Force, as well as the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Each reflects the values and commitments of service members that inspired the description “above all, aiming high, always faithful, always ready and not for self but for country, in service to the health of the nation and to defend” in the text.
Comments (2)
Thank you for this inspirational post. The VHP does such important work that will only ever increase in value over time. Oftentimes profound, sometimes remarkable, always personal and insightful, these stories will illuminate our national history forever. Thanks to the VHP staff, the veterans, and families that participate. Well done.
Thank you, Lewis, for your kind comment.! We’re deeply grateful to the veterans and families who share their experiences with VHP, allowing these personal stories to become part of our national record. Your encouragement means a great deal to all of us.