The Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP) is seeking to highlight veterans of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service and veterans who were deployed for natural disasters or public health crises, as well as inform the public about how they can access and be a part of their veteran collection this Memorial Day season.

Many consider U.S. military veterans only as those who saw combat overseas, but just as relevant and selfless are those who served in other capacities, including Uniformed Public Health Officers and those who were deployed to respond during a natural disaster, national emergency or public health crisis. As first responders in the wake of some of the most hazardous events imaginable, these brave men and women were trained to put their own well-being aside with little notice in order to provide assistance to those who are most vulnerable.

Veterans History Project was created in 2000 by Congress as part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. VHP’s mission is to collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal accounts of U.S. military veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. VHP relies on volunteers to interview veterans to contribute to the permanent library collection by submitting audio and video interviews, as well as original photographs and correspondence. To learn more about the project and download the field kit visit www.loc.gov/vets.