In coordination with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, my office hosted our Second Annual Veterans History Project (VHP) at Seattle University this August. The goal of the VHP is to collect, preserve and make accessible the personal accounts of veterans who choose to share their life’s journey from civilian to soldier to veteran. Together with volunteers from the Renton Wing of the Civil Air Patrol Cadets, my office was able to record personal accounts from over thirteen veterans at the event. Through partnerships with veteran community stakeholders, the event also provided wraparound services for the veterans in attendance. Organizations like the Seattle University Student Veteran's Community, Compass Housing Alliance, the Disabled American Veterans, Comcast and Amazon were able to lend their expertise to veterans on employment, disability claims, housing, and education benefits and services in their community. As always, this event highlighted the importance of collecting the personal accounts of our nation’s unsung heroes. The VHP is one small way that we can honor our veterans sacrifice and bravery, by preserving their legacy.

Photo Credit: Seattle University Veterans Community