Frequently Asked Questions: Veterans History Project

The Library of Congress Veterans History Project’s (VHP) mission is to collect, preserve and make accessible the personal recollections of U.S. military veterans. Established by an Act of Congress in 2001, VHP was always intended to be a community-driven grass roots project that empowers people to gather the personal recollections of veterans in their communities. Veterans and their loved ones voluntarily submit stories to be archived. 

Oral history is a line of inquiry that seeks to capture the events in an individual’s life as s/he experienced and remembers them. As those experiences live in the realm of memory, they are innately difficult to verify. VHP does not verify the accuracy of those accounts, encourage falsification or bestow military honor or government recognition. For more, please see https://www.loc.gov/vets/vets-disclaimer.html. 

Those who purposefully exaggerate or lie about their military service do so for reasons that obviously break away from VHP’s mission, or what the Library of Congress offers to the American public. The Stolen Valor Act declares it is illegal to claim military distinction or medals that one did not earn with the “intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit.” Anyone who suspects a VHP participant has violated the Stolen Valor Act should email vohp@loc.gov with evidence, and VHP staff will follow up.​