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VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT

Senator Sherrod Brown is encouraging Ohio veterans, colleges, and universities to work together to submit recorded interviews, memoirs, and other documents from Ohio’s veterans for admission to the Veterans History Project’s national archive. 

Veterans interested in participating should complete the application below.

WHAT IS THE VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT?

The Veterans History Project (VHP) of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center collects and preserves the firsthand interviews and narratives of United States military veterans from World War I through the present. 

In addition to audio and video recorded oral history interviews, VHP accepts memoirs and collections of original photographs, letters, diaries, maps and other historical documents from veterans who served in the US armed services.

The Project makes accessible the materials that comprise this important national archive. VHP relies on volunteers, both individuals and organizations, throughout the nation to contribute veterans’ stories to VHP.

VHP accepts first person narratives in the forms of original unedited audio/video recorded interviews, photographs, letters, diaries, journals, military documents, two-dimensional artwork, maps and unpublished memoirs that meet minimum requirements and pertain to the service of U.S. military veterans. Materials collected must fall within VHP’s 30-20-10 Rule. (Participants only need to meet one of these criteria to begin a collection)

30-20-10 Rule:

- 30 minutes is the minimum length required for recorded interviews.

- 20 pages is the minimum number of pages required for original memoirs, diaries or journals.

- 10 items is the minimum number of original photographs, letters, maps or pieces of artwork required and the minimum number of pages required for military documents.

FOR VETERANS

Veterans who served in the U.S. military, in any capacity, from WWI to the present, regardless of branch or rank, and are no longer serving are eligible. The Department of Veterans Affairs defines a veteran as: “A person who served in the active military service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.”

If you are a veteran and interested in sharing your story of service, please click here to fill out your information, and a member of Senator Brown’s team will reach out to you and begin the process.

FOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

The Office of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown partners with colleges and universities in Ohio to facilitate the interview process between Ohio veterans and students interested in pursuing a career in multimedia or journalism. Interviews are conducted with two students. One student will ensure all equipment is operating efficiently during the interview and the other student will conduct the interview by asking questions and listening to the veteran.

Students will receive a brief training session with Senator Brown’s office to ensure all of VHP’s requirements and recommendations are met during the interview process. Students will have the ability to include their work with VHP in portfolios and résumés.

FOR GOLD STAR FAMILIES

VHP also collects oral histories with Gold Star Family members, defined as a parent, spouse, sibling, or child of members of the Armed Forces who died as a result of their service during a period of war. Fill out your information here.

Due to the sensitive nature of the Gold Star oral histories, the Veterans History Project requires a minimum age of 18 for both the interviewers and the interviewees.

FOR FAMILY MEMBERS OF A DECEASED VETERAN

VHP accepts collections of original, firsthand materials (such as photographs, memoirs, correspondence, etc.) on behalf of deceased veterans. Fill out your information here.

VHP does not accept oral history interviews with family members of deceased veterans, except in the case of those collected under the auspices of the Gold Star Voices Act. VHP can accept the “proxy” oral history if there are additional original materials that meet the minimum requirements. Any materials submitted on behalf of a deceased veteran must be accompanied by all VHP required forms and meet the minimum collecting standards.