When we think of U.S. military veterans, we often imagine those who saw combat overseas, but just as relevant and heroic are those who served in other capacities, including Uniformed Public Health Officers and those who were deployed to respond during a natural disaster or public health crisis. The Commissioned Corp of the U.S. Public Health Service is one of eight uniformed services. Founded more than 200 years ago, its members play a critical role in protecting our nation’s health in all 50 states and overseas.

Monica Mohindra, Director of the Veterans History Project, joins Mark Alyn to discuss how the VHP is actively seeking stories from these veterans, collecting oral history interviews, original photographs, letters, and other correspondence to be archived and made accessible for future generations.

LIVING HISTORY — Collecting, preserving & making accessible firsthand recollections of U.S. military veterans who served from WWI through today
TIMELESS TREASURES — Audio & video-recorded oral history interviews, unpublished memoirs, and collections of original photographs, letters, diaries/journals, artwork, and historical documents
ALL INCLUSIVE — Veterans from all branches and ranks who served at any point are eligible to participate in the Veterans History Project
VETERANS DAY SEARCH — VHP actively seeks Commissioned Corps veterans’ oral history interviews, original photographs, letters & other correspondence

VHP Director Monica Mohindra has worked for more than 15 years with the Project. She has coordinated major initiatives with Members of Congress, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Endowment for the Humanities, PBS, Ken Burns/ Florentine Films, the HISTORY Channel, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among others. Energized by the large collections development initiatives that enable exploring new audiences and new participation in the Project, the most meaningful part of her work is helping uncover and shed light on the individual personal stories of U.S. veterans.