Sunday, November 1, 2026
Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds Pavilion | Lafayette, Indiana
Veteran Registration Is FREE
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the Good Samaritan Project (GSP) invites veterans, volunteers, community partners, and supporters to help preserve the personal stories of those who have served our country.
The Veterans History Project (VHP) 2026 – 250 Recording Edition is a special community recording event with a goal of preserving the stories of 25 veterans. This initiative connects three important milestones: America’s 250th birthday, the 25 veteran recordings we aim to complete, and 25 years since the Veterans History Project began accepting collections in 2001. Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2000.
Each recording will help preserve a piece of American history, ensuring that future generations can learn directly from the people who experienced it.
As the wife of a veteran, Paula Eve Davis understands the importance of honoring those who have served and ensuring their experiences are not forgotten.
Since 2018, Paula has conducted Veterans History Projects after receiving training through Congressman Jim Baird’s office. Congressman Baird is a decorated Vietnam War veteran who received the Bronze Star with the “V” device for valor and two Purple Hearts.
Paula’s commitment to preserving history is also personal. She is a direct descendant of Solomon Hagler, whose connection to General Ulysses S. Grant and receipt of a land grant after the Civil War were documented by historian and DAR member Diana Vice.
Her birthday, June 14, is Flag Day, adding another meaningful connection to her lifelong commitment to service, history, and honoring those who have helped shape our nation.
Through this special recording edition, GSP continues that commitment by creating opportunities for veterans to share their experiences and leave a lasting legacy.
A veteran’s story is more than a record of military service. It is a personal account of sacrifice, friendship, courage, challenges, and life-changing experiences.
Preserving veterans’ voices, memories, laughter, and reflections allows families to hear and revisit the stories that shaped their loved ones. These recordings can help children, grandchildren, and future generations understand their family’s history in the veteran’s own words.
They also help communities better understand the people behind our nation’s history, including the experiences, decisions, and sacrifices that may never appear in textbooks.
Every veteran has a story worth preserving. Every recording helps ensure that story can continue to be heard.
We welcome veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces and all eras of service.
Whether you served decades ago or recently completed your military service, your experiences matter. Your story deserves to be heard and preserved for your family and future generations.
Registered veterans will participate in a recorded oral history interview, sharing their experiences, memories, and reflections.
There is no need to prepare a formal speech. The interview is simply an opportunity to sit down with a volunteer interviewer and share your story in your own words.
Our team will help make the process comfortable and meaningful while capturing the personal details that make each veteran’s experience unique.
Registration is free, but advance registration is required so we can coordinate interview times and provide each veteran with the attention needed to record their story.
Veterans, register here:
https://vhp2026250recordingedition.eventbrite.com
For this special edition, GSP aims to record 25 veteran stories in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary and the legacy of the Veterans History Project.
Each recording represents an opportunity to preserve firsthand memories and experiences that might otherwise be lost with time.
Together, we can create a lasting record of service, sacrifice, and the people who helped shape our nation’s history.
One veteran. One story. One piece of history preserved for generations to come.
The November 1 recording event is part of the Good Samaritan Project’s ongoing commitment to honoring and supporting veterans throughout the year.
Your support helps sustain the Good Samaritan Project’s year-round veteran services and programs, including care packages for homebound veterans, Holiday Heroes, decorating veterans’ cemeteries at Christmas, and Veterans History Project recordings that preserve veterans’ stories for future generations.
GSP also supports other veteran-led organizations and initiatives that serve those who have served our country.
By supporting this recording project, you can help preserve veterans’ stories while contributing to a broader commitment to recognizing, honoring, and supporting veterans in our communities.
Community partners, businesses, and individuals are invited to support the Veterans History Project and GSP’s continuing veteran services.
The exclusive commemorative gift sponsorship has already been approved by Village Caregiving and is no longer available.
Please refer to the latest approved materials for sponsorship details and contribution instructions.
Please review the approved materials for sponsorship levels, recognition benefits, available specialty opportunities, and contribution instructions.
We are seeking volunteers to help make the November 1 event successful.
Volunteer availability is needed from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 1.
We need 4–5 interviewers to guide veterans through their oral history interviews, listen carefully, and help capture their memories and experiences.
We need 3 dedicated recording volunteers to operate video recording equipment and help ensure each veteran’s story is captured properly.
Recording operators should bring suitable recording equipment and any necessary accessories, including compatible storage media, chargers, adapters, and headphones. A USB thumb drive alone is a storage device, not a recording device.
Additional volunteers are needed to welcome veterans and guests, assist with check-in, guide participants, and help keep the recording sessions running smoothly.
We also welcome assistance with an RV or trailer to support the event’s recording-studio setup. If you have access to a suitable RV or trailer or can help coordinate its use, please reach out to GSP.
Every volunteer plays an important role in helping veterans feel welcomed, respected, and comfortable sharing their stories.
Volunteers can attend one of the following remaining training sessions at the Good Samaritan Project office:
Saturday, October 17, 2026
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Monday, October 19, 2026
4–6 p.m.
Location:
Good Samaritan Project Office
315 Cincinnati Street Lafayette, Indiana
Please choose the session that works best for your schedule.
If you are interested in interviewing veterans, operating recording equipment, assisting with event activities, or helping with the RV/trailer setup, we encourage you to get involved.
America’s story is made up of millions of individual stories. As we celebrate 250 years of American history, we have an opportunity to ensure that the voices and experiences of our veterans remain part of that story.
Join the Good Samaritan Project in honoring those who served, preserving their memories, and creating a legacy for generations to come.
Veterans: Register for your free interview.
Volunteers: Help us capture and preserve these important stories.
Sponsors and donors: Support the recording project and GSP’s year-round veteran services.
Together, we can ensure that the stories of those who served our country are heard, remembered, and preserved.
One veteran. One story. One piece of history preserved for future generations.
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