In this installment of Experiencing War, we invite you to listen as post-9/11 veterans tell their own stories through oral histories, photographs, memoirs, and artwork. 2021 marks the twenty-year anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and in the two decades that have passed, the Veterans History Project has archived thousands of narratives from veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the Middle East during the War on Terror. The collections highlighted here provide insight into the personal and individual experiences of American service members during an era defined by memories of 9/11, multiple overseas deployments, and the constant struggle to adapt technology and techniques to uncertain environments. Every veteran has their own unique story to share, and we encourage post-9/11 veterans to add their perspectives to our archive by participating in the Veterans History Project. For more information on this installment of Experiencing War, please read our blog post on post-9/11 veterans.

For more collections like these, please view: The Global War on Terror, Current Conflicts: Afghanistan and Iraq

Photo on main page: “Four soldiers and flags during a ceremony honoring a fallen soldier.” Lee Ingrid Papanek Lane Collection, Veterans History Project, AFC2001/001/47372/PH11.