Finding credible sources is always one of the significant challenges in recording history. Using primary sources – from those who actually participated in or experienced an event – is ideal. History becomes fascinating when you combine this first-hand experience with a great storyteller. We found that wonderful combination with the American Veteran Center (AVC) and their oral history project.
The mission of the American Veterans Center is to guard the legacy and honor the sacrifice of American veterans over the last 75 years of our shared history. Through oral history preservation, educational programs, and civic events, they preserve the stories and lessons of veterans past and present, from which future generations can learn.
In 1997 the American Veterans Center partnered with the National Archives to begin a radio program. Heroic veterans with remarkable stories shared their experiences. Eventually, they began recording all the stories. Thus began a decades-long goal to record the memories of as many World War II veterans as possible, before they leave us. The interviews are donated to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. They now even have a YouTube channel! They’ve come a long way.
At this point in time, the number of living World War II veterans has greatly declined. The AVC had a list of 15 veterans they wanted to interview but lacked the funding to do so. Time was running out. That’s where Phillips Charitable Foundation came into the picture. Ultimately, a $30,000 grant was awarded, providing the funding needed to quickly complete all 15 interviews and videos. A matching challenge was sent out to AVC supporters, with hopes that another $30,000 could be raised. This would enable the American Veterans Center to continue recording these important oral histories. That matching challenge is still underway.
Seth Nichols, Vice President of Development, has been with American Veterans Center for 12 years. His passion for this project is what initially inspired us to consider this project.
“Without Phillips Charitable Foundation there would be many veterans’ legacy that would go untold and likely be forgotten if it wasn’t for the Foundation’s support” explained Mr. Nichols. “Thanks to them there are 15 veterans whose story and legacy will be remembered and honored for generations to come. This means the world to us, but more importantly the families of the veterans.”
Although their original focus was only on WWII veterans, they have now expanded that focus to include all U.S. veterans. Seth Nichols explained that they want to “let the veterans tell their own story rather than historians.”
The American Veterans Center strives to find veterans with stories to tell that didn’t make it into the history books. These are real stories from the mouths of those who experienced them. Some of their YouTube videos now have over a million views!
As soon as the AVC was awarded the grant from PCF, they set plans into motion. One of the first videos recorded following the grant was of WWII veteran Jake Larson. At the age of 99, the American Veterans Center was able to record his oral history. In 1938, at the age of 15, Jake Larson lied about his age and enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard. He later assisted in critical logistic planning for Operation Overlord, or D-Day. Larson survived Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge and later wrote about his experiences in his autobiography entitled “The Luckiest Man in the World.” You can watch his American Veterans Center video here:
Landing in The First Wave on Omaha Beach on D-Day, A Regiment’s Last Survivor Remembers
WWII veteran Lou Schott is another veteran whose story was recorded with funds from the Phillips Charitable Foundation grant. In his video, he explains that he had just finished playing a game of college ice hockey when he learned about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and would become part of the oldest and most highly decorated Marine infantry division, the 1stMarine Division – known as “the old breed.” Mr. Schott’s video was filmed in May 2022 at the age of 101! Watch his video here:
An “Old Breed” Marine Describes Leading Men Into Combat on Peleliu and Okinawa
We recommend that you take some time to watch a few of the videos. One of the most popular videos is of Frank Devita, D-Day hero. His video has close to three million views! There are plenty of other good stories to enjoy as well.
At Phillips Charitable Foundation we are so appreciative that this grant opportunity was presented to us. We’re excited to watch and learn from each of the 15 heroes who are recording their personal stories. The oral histories will keep the lessons, memories, and sacrifices of our brave heroes alive for future generations. All of the interviews filmed by American Veteran’s Center are donated to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project and made available to museums and documentary films. It’s been an honor to support their project and learn about the great work they do at the American Veterans Center.
