Iowa Valley and Senator Ernst’s Office Schedule Second Session to Film Combat Veterans’ Stories for Library of Congress
Following a highly successful initial session, Iowa Valley Community College District (Iowa Valley) is partnering once again with the office of U.S. Senator Joni Ernst to continue documenting the personal histories of veterans residing at the Iowa Veterans Home (IVH) in Marshalltown for the Library of Congress’s Veterans History Project (VHP).
The second filming session is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, at the Iowa Veterans Home. This session will focus on capturing the stories of 6-7 combat veterans, ensuring their accounts of service and sacrifice are preserved as an enduring part of American history.
Iowa Valley is providing its professional video support, led by District Videographer Joshua Benda. A key feature of this continued partnership is the integral involvement of students—many of whom are also veterans—who will conduct the interviews, providing them with a profound, hands-on opportunity to engage with history and honor fellow service members.
“I’m proud to support the Veterans History Project in its mission to recognize our nation’s heroes and document their stories for future generations,” said Senator Joni Ernst. “As a combat veteran who served our nation in the military for 23 years, I have a special appreciation for our servicemembers, both past and present, who have sacrificed so much to defend and protect the freedoms we hold dear. This meaningful work would not be possible without the folks at the Iowa Valley Community College District, the Iowa Veterans Home, and all the dedicated veterans who bring the project to life by sharing their stories.”
Dr. Anne Howsare Boyens, President of Iowa Valley Community College District, reinforced the college’s commitment to the project. “We are deeply honored to collaborate with Senator Ernst’s Veterans Affairs team on this important initiative. Preserving the stories of our veterans is a crucial responsibility, and we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Veterans History Project. We are committed to supporting our veterans and ensuring their legacies are remembered, and we greatly value this partnership.”
Joshua Benda, District Videographer for Iowa Valley, added, “It’s truly an honor to be part of this project and have the opportunity to capture the stories of these veterans. These are important accounts of courage and sacrifice, and I feel privileged to help preserve them for future generations. Knowing that these videos will become a part of the Library of Congress is something very special.”
Tracy Crippen-Haake, Veterans Affairs Coordinator for Iowa Valley, highlighted the program’s dual benefits. “This second session of the Veterans History Project is a powerful example of how Iowa Valley is constantly finding ways to serve our veteran community and shine a light on the dedication of service members from a different era. We especially appreciate the high level of student involvement, particularly the student veterans who are conducting the interviews—it’s a meaningful bridge between generations and a unique way to honor their service.”
The completed video interviews will be submitted to the Library of Congress for inclusion in the VHP archive and will be publicly available on the VHP website.
About the Veterans History Project
The Veterans History Project (VHP) was established by Congress in 2000 as an initiative of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center. Its mission is to collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans from all conflicts, including World War I through the present. By preserving these firsthand narratives—including oral history interviews, diaries, letters, and photographs—the VHP ensures that future generations have access to the authentic voices and sacrifices of those who served our nation.
About Iowa Valley Community College District:
Iowa Valley Community College District (Iowa Valley) serves the communities of Marshalltown, Grinnell, and surrounding areas through Marshalltown Community College, Ellsworth Community College, Iowa Valley Grinnell, and Iowa Valley Continuing Education. Iowa Valley is committed to providing accessible, quality education and workforce training that empowers individuals and strengthens communities.