How to Participate:

• Register using our online form
• Print the VHP Field Kit
  
• Prepare for the interview
• Conduct the interview
• Send your collection to the Library

More Information:

Educators and students
Participants with special needs [PDF]
Frequently asked questions

Memoir Kit: Guidelines

The Veterans History Project would like as much of your story as possible: ten pages would be a good start, although more would be preferable. Typewritten, double-spaced text is easiest to read. There is no maximum length--the longest memoir received at the project is nearly 900 pages. Most average around 30 or 40 pages.

Memoirs are most interesting when they address a wide variety of experiences. The smallest details and thoughts are often of great interest to researchers.

You are encouraged to include photographs, letters, diaries, or other documents. Original documents are preferred; however, high-quality, legible copies are acceptable.

Suggestions for Getting Started

Spark your memory. Before settling down to write your memoir, you might want to spend time gathering together your wartime military papers, maps, letters, diaries, photographs, uniform, and medals. Think about where you were and what you did on specific historical dates, for instance: December 7, 1941 - the attack on Pearl Harbor. Where were you when the war ended?

Develop a timeline. Write down all the places you went during your wartime service. Begin with the place of your enlistment, drafting, or decision to enter civilian service, and end with the place of your discharge, or when you ended your service. Add the dates to the best of your recollection.

Work on a list of topics. You may want to develop a list of topics to write about. Some memories may have been very powerful, and others more everyday. Although some experiences may have been painful, they may be the ones that make the story most worth telling and preserving.

Think about the people you served or worked with. Add to the timeline the names of all the people you recall being with, or serving under. If you are still in contact with them, consider talking with them about shared experiences to refresh your memory.

Start Writing

Professional writers will tell you that writing requires discipline. With your previously developed note cards or timeline in front of you, try to write a page or two, or more, a day.

Start with personal information about yourself: When and where were you born? Where did you live? What did you do in the days before you enlisted or were drafted? What made you decide to serve? What was your family like? How did you look?

Write about your early service experiences: Why did you join? Where were you located? What was boot camp or training like? Describe your first days in the service, or as a civilian war worker. Why did you choose your particular branch of service? What special skills did you have? What special skills did you learn?

Write about your active duty or your civilian service: Where did you serve? What job assignments did you have? Did you have combat experience? Were there casualties in your unit or on your ship? Were you afraid? Were you wounded? How were the food and provisions in general? How did you pass the time? What did you do for recreation? How did you celebrate holidays? How did you stay in touch with loved ones, family and friends?

Don't forget to tell us your recollections about the day your service or the war ended: Where were you? What did you do in the years afterwards? Did you maintain your friendships? Are you a member of a veterans' or other association? How did your military or civilian service influence your life?

If you were a civilian: Many of the previous questions apply to you, too. What did you do? Why did you get involved? How did you feel about your role in the war effort? Did you meet many people in the armed forces? Did you travel as a result of what you did? Did you learn new skills?

Caution: Although candor makes for a great memoir, extremely derogatory statements may be regretted later.

Developing a Table of Contents

Although not required, a simple Table of Contents for your memoir will greatly enhance the value of your submission. It will help researchers quickly identify the general content of your contribution.

Participate in the Project >> Memoir Kit