American Legion Post 853

Special  Events

Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress
 
Are you willing to be interviewed about your experience related to your military service? In an interview to be recorded and archived with the Library of Congress? A recording that you can request a copy of to share with your family and friends?
 
A request has been made to the Veterans of Post 853 from a young man, Ruhan Sahasi, for volunteers to participate in a video recorded interview.
 
Ruhan is a high school Junior. He’s conducting these interviews for the Library of Congress, Veteran History Project. It’s a video recorded interview. The video will be sent to the Library of Congress for posterity. The interviewee can ask for a copy of the video. I think this is the best part. It’s something that can be passed on within a family or with friends. How much do we know of each other’s service? I for one would have cherished a video from my uncles and my dad discussing their time in service. Regardless, I wanted you all to have an opportunity to participate in this history project. The following information is from Ruhan including the typical questions asked during the interview. If you do participate, please let us know about your experience.
 
Thank you,
Dale Jones
Commander
 
Hi, 
 
I hope this email finds you in good health and high spirits.

 

My name is Ruhan, and I am a high school student with extensive family history in the military, working on a project to preserve the oral histories of American veterans. I intend to submit all the collected interviews to the Library of Congress, supporting their Veteran History Project, and was referred to you by the American Legion Post Organization.
 
 
We conduct brief 30 minute interviews via Zoom, and you do not need to prepare anything in advance. Your unique perspectives and experiences and that of other members of your post hold immeasurable value for historians, researchers, educators, and posterity, and by participating in this project, you have the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy, inspiring future generations and shedding light on the sacrifices made by our nation's heroes.

 

Please let me know if you would be willing to participate and if so, please share your availability. I would also truly appreciate it if you could share this opportunity with the rest of the veterans at your post, as I believe that preserving the stories of each service member matters. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at: ruhansahasi@icloud.com 
 

Additional information about this project:

1. Information about the organization: I work with a group of students to interview veterans across America, and we intend to submit all valid interviews to the Library of Congress. The goal of the project is to immortalize American veteran service, and paint a comprehensive picture of it. (Here’s a link:  https://www.loc.gov/programs/veterans-history-project/about-this-program/)

2. Questions: The questions solely relate to a veteran’s service, and some reflections, though they vary from veteran to veteran (see below).

 
Respectfully,
Ruhan Sahasi
 

Biographical Details

  1. Where and when were you born?

  2. Who are/were your parents and what are/were their occupations?

  3. Did you have any siblings? Names and genders? Which, if any, serve/served in  the military?

  4. What were your parents’ or siblings’ feelings about you joining the military?

  5. Did you have any jobs before entering the service?

Early Days of Service

  1. Can you tell us about when you went into the military? Did you enlist?

  2. (If enlisted) Why did you join?

  3. In which branch did you enter?

    (If enlisted) Why did you choose that branch?

  4. What is your most vivid memory of your time training or in school? What was the best part? What was the worst part?

  5. Specialized training?

Wartime Service

  1. Where did you serve the most?

  2. What are your recollections of that experience?

  3. Were you in a combat, combat support, or combat service support role?

  4. (If combat/ wartime) How did your combat (wartime) experience change you?

    i. Is there a particular story, or moment during service that you think was especially meaningful, eventful (combat), or scary?

  1. What kinds of friendships and camaraderie did you form while serving?

  2. Do you recall any particularly humorous or unusual events?

  3. What was the best part of your service experience?

End of Service

  1. How many years did you serve in the military?

  2. Did you return home? Where were you?

  3. How were you received by your family and community?

  4. How did service change you?

  5. What is one thing that the military taught you that you carry to this day?

  6. Translate into career?

Reflections

  1. What is something civilians would be shocked to know about veterans?

  2. How has your military service impacted your feelings about war and the military in general?

  3. What are the biggest struggles that veterans face?

  4. Is VA system well equipped for veterans?

  5. Is there anything you've always wanted to share about your service or veteran experience that you never have?

  6. What would you like people to know or remember from your story?

  7. What do you wish more people knew about veterans? 

 
3. Interview Specifics: 
a. Requires no preparation on the veteran’s part
b. 30-40 minutes, via Zoom (I will coordinate a time that works well)