Veterans History Project

Looking for a fun and worthwhile project to hone your video skills? You may want to consider the Veterans History Project. The Veterans History Project relies on volunteers to collect and preserve stories of wartime service.
The United States Congress created the Veterans History Project in 2000. The authorizing legislation (Public Law 106-380), sponsored by Representatives Ron Kind, Amo Houghton, and Steny Hoyer in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senators Max Cleland and Chuck Hagel in the U.S. Senate, received unanimous support and was signed into law by President William Jefferson Clinton on October 27, 2000.

Their primary focus is on first-hand accounts of
U.S. Veterans from the following wars:

• World War I (1914-1920)
• World War II (1939-1946)
• Korean War (1950-1955)
• Vietnam War (1961-1975)
• Persian Gulf War (1990-1995)
• Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts (2001-present)

In addition, those U.S. citizen civilians who were actively involved in supporting war efforts (such as war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, etc.) are also invited to share their valuable stories.

These stories may be recorded with a video camera or an audio tape recorder; however, they may also be typewritten (preferably a minimum of 20 pages). They also accept original collections of diaries, letters, maps, home movies, and photographs.

Most audio and video recording formats are accepted (including but not limited to standard audio cassettes, VHS videos, Hi-8/8mm, digital video and DVD-R recordings). Do not use microcassettes for audio interviews as they pose significant challenges to long-term preservation and the sound quality of an interview.

If both audio and visual recording equipment is available to you, please keep in mind that visual recordings capture the interviewee's facial expressions, body language, and can be used to film photos and documents in addition to capturing the words alone. Regardless of the recording format, so please use the highest-quality recording equipment available to you.

You can get more information here. Video is such a great way to preserve our history and a perfect way to help the effort!