This page will show you how I've gone about doing this. I want to add the disclaimer that this is certainly not the best or only way to do it though. I am constantly trying to improve on it and always very open to other ideas and thoughts about how to do so.
GETTING THE WORD OUT AND FINDING VETERANS
This is an area that I have had a variety of success at and is one area I would like to improve on. Obviously the key here is getting the word out about what you are doing. By far my biggest success in finding veterans, or better yet veterans finding me, has been getting newspapers to write articles about the project. The local newspapers here have been wonderful about this. From this base of veterans that I interview, many then refer me to other veterans or other veterans to me. Other ways I have tried with a variety of success has been contacting the local veterans organizations such as the VFW or American Legion, going to Veteran's Day celebrations, writing to veterans that have been highlighted or noted as veterans in newspaper articles and having information in my car about the project that I leave on the windshield of cars with license plates that signify the owner as a veteran, Purple Heart recipient, former POW, etc.
GETTING STARTED
Once you have started finding and talking to veterans about the project, you are bound to find they fall across a wide spectrum, from those who have a story or memories they would just soon forget about and/or not talk about (which I respect) to those who say they did nothing or have no story (which I don't believe!!!!!! I believe that anyone who walked out their door to serve their country, regardless if they stormed a beach or spent their time in KP duty, deserves to have their story told.). Once I have made contact, I either give or mail them a letter of introduction of what the project is about. I also usually include a general list of questions asked in the interview. I pulled and compiled these questions from various sites such as the Library of Congress Veterans Project. I don't ask all of these questions, but use the list as a general framework for the interview. I have found that by giving the list ahead of time, it gives the veteran an idea of how the interview will go, allows them time to prepare their thoughts, and generally just helps to jog their memories.
THE INTERVIEW
Once they agree to be interviewed, we set up a time that is mutually convenient. The interview is usually at their home. There are many ways to collect the interview, with the three most common being either in written, audio or video form. I choose to use the video form, as I believe the video not only collects the story, but also gets emotions, expressions and mannerisms of the veteran, which adds to the story. I have them sit where they are comfortable and set up the camera slightly to their side. I see the interview as a cross between a casual conversation and a 60 Minutes interview. Like I said earlier, I try to gear the interview more towards their personal experiences and perspective. I always tell them not to get hung up on exact figures (ie. wondering if it was the 11th or 12th of July when July of 43' or even the summer of 43' will do the trick). You have to try and find a balance where you ask questions and keep the interview on track, but at the same time not interfere with their story or break their train of thought. In addition to the interview, I also ask them to add any pictures, medals, momentos, etc. that they would like added to the tape.
POST INTERVIEW
After the interview, I take the tape back and load it on the computer. I do some very light editing, add descriptive text and burn it on to a DVD. I make a descriptive dvd case and get the final product back to them. My main objective has been to make sure that the veterans and their families now have their story down on permanent record. A second object, only with their permission, has been to donate a copy to the local museum or library. I also assist them with information if they would like to donate a copy to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. I never have, and vow never to, charge a veteran to do this. I suppose I should explore, as you may want to as well, such things as applying for grants to help cover expenses.