Iowa Valley Partners with Sen. Ernst to Preserve Veterans’ Stories
Iowa Valley Community College District (Iowa Valley) is proud to announce a collaborative effort with the office of U.S. Senator Joni Ernst to document and preserve the invaluable stories of veterans residing at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Through the Veterans History Project (VHP), an initiative of the Library of Congress, these personal accounts of service and sacrifice will be captured on video and archived for future generations.
Iowa Valley’s professional videographer will provide his expertise to create a series of high-quality videos that will ultimately be submitted to the Library of Congress, ensuring these veterans’ experiences are preserved as a vital part of American history.
This project will also provide a unique learning opportunity for students from Marshalltown Community College (MCC) and Iowa Valley Grinnell. Students will conduct the interviews with the veterans, while students enrolled in Iowa Valley’s Digital Media courses will assist with the video production, gaining hands-on experience in documentary filmmaking and oral history preservation.
“We are deeply honored to partner with Senator Ernst’s office on this important initiative,” said Dr. Anne Howsare Boyens, President of Iowa Valley Community College District. “Preserving the stories of our veterans is a crucial responsibility, and we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Veterans History Project. This collaboration not only honors the service of these brave individuals but also provides our students with an invaluable educational experience. We are committed to supporting our veterans and ensuring their legacies are remembered.”
Senator Ernst, a veteran herself, has long been a champion for veterans’ causes. Her office’s involvement in this project underscores her dedication to honoring the service and sacrifice of Iowa’s veterans.
The Veterans History Project, established by Congress in 2000, collects and preserves the firsthand accounts of American war veterans from World War I to the present. These stories provide invaluable insights into the experiences of those who have served our nation.
The video interviews will be conducted at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown over the coming weeks. The completed videos will then be submitted to the Library of Congress for inclusion in the VHP archive.