American veterans are invited to tell their military stories in a relaxed setting, then enjoy lunch and camaraderie at the fourth-annual Veterans History Project to be hosted Nov. 9 by AIB College of Business in Des Moines.
“Veterans History Project is vitally important so that future generations know what you did and what so many of our fellow veterans did to maintain our freedoms,” Sen. Tom Harkin told last year’s participating veterans.
“Over the last decade, Americans have woken up to the truth that our real heroes are not on our movie screens or sports arenas. Our real heroes are serving our nation in uniform with enormous professionalism, sacrifice and courage.”
The Veterans History Project was created by the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., to collect and archive the personal recollections of U.S. wartime veterans of any past or current conflicts so their stories can be told to future generations.
At AIB, volunteer interviewers question veterans while volunteer court reporters write their responses on steno machines. Volunteer videographers also record the interviews.
The responses will be archived at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge in Johnston and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Participating veterans also will receive DVDs and transcribed copies of the interview.
The veterans interviewed last year at AIB served in World War II (including at the Battle of the Bulge), Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. They were praised by guest speakers.
“I salute all veterans, every one of you,” said Rep. Leonard Boswell. “Each generation all has to do our part to have this wonderful country that we live in – like no other in the world.”
“I never cease to be amazed at extraordinary things that seemingly ordinary people do in the military while serving our nation,” Harkin said.
“I want to thank all the veterans here,” said retired Iowa National Guard Col. Robert C. King. “If you haven’t been told thank you, I’m telling you.”
In its three years of sponsoring the Veterans History Project, AIB’s volunteers have documented more than 80 veterans’ stories – including accounts of years spent as prisoners of war.
The Veterans History Project event begins with registration at 8 a.m. on the AIB Campus, 2500 Fleur Drive, Des Moines. In addition to the hour-long interviews, activities are planned for veterans and their families, including a complimentary luncheon with speakers.
To volunteer to be interviewed, contact AIB College of Business by Oct. 12 at (800) 444-1921 or mattoonk@aib.edu.
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