As we close out November and celebrate Veterans Day, please remember you can honor the service and sacrifices of our U.S. veterans by becoming involved with the Library of Congress (LOC) Veterans History Project (VHP) program through the National Court Reporters Foundation (NCRF) Oral Histories effort. It is a worthy activity that can take place throughout the year.
Since the program’s creation by an act of Congress in 2000, NCRA members have volunteered their time to help transcribe the oral histories of more than 4,400 U.S. veterans and Gold Star Families, building a lasting legacy of the diverse group of men and women who have served our nation.
To help remind NCRA members about the importance of this one-of-a-kind program and to inspire participation in VHP events, TheJCR.com team has collected some of the comments and experiences shared by those who have transcribed stories and those who have shared their stories below.
VHP event honors Vietnam veterans
“It was a great honor to interview Col. Douglas E. Moore, Col. Carlos M. Collat, and Lt. Col. Henry ’Rocky’ Colavita. Their stories were amazing and very vivid. These are our heroes. Being in the presence of such great leadership, bravery, and service gave me an entire new perspective on life and put my personal life complaints and situations on hold in an effort to embrace and visualize the strength and perseverance of our heroic Vietnam Veterans. I learned a lot of life lessons. All of them were 80 years old and older, so you can only imagine the wisdom.”
NCRA Director Margary Rogers, RPR, CRI, an official court reporter and captioner from Washington, D.C.
First-time VHP participant moved by story of WWII veteran
“My father, Charles Nock, was a World War II veteran, and listening to Mr. Anastasi’s life story was very similar, whereby he dropped out of school to help take care of the family due to the loss of a parent. It took everything in me not to begin to cry when I heard him talk about that aspect of his life.
“The VHP is important because if we, court reporters and captioners, don’t take the time to capture and record these life stories, they will forever be lost to us. The skill of a court reporter and captioner is what I call a gift that not many people in this world can do. It is imperative that we volunteer so history can continue to be recorded and be recorded accurately. If we won’t do it, then who will? So why not? Writing history is an exhilarating experience that transcends beyond words. My father passed away in January 2003 from Alzheimer’s, and my heart breaks that I, as his daughter who is a court reporter/captioner, never wrote his story. I only know so much about his veteran’s life story. But it sure would have been spectacular to have captured it stenographically.”
Juanita Price, RPR, an official court reporter with the Washington, D.C., Superior Court.
NCRA honors American veterans by transcribing oral histories
“It was such an honor to be a part of this noble endeavor. I am already excited about helping capture another brave soldier’s memories.”
April L. Crites, RMR, CRR, an official court reporter from Cincinnati, Ohio
“It’s important for me, I feel, for future generations to know there are people that care not just about themselves but care enough to commit a part of their life to serve something greater than themselves.”
U.S. Army veteran Tim Seaman, Haymarket, Va.
NCRA members capture oral histories from Gold Star Mother and veterans
“I have always heard about the Veterans History Project, [I] was always intrigued to participate, and now I am so honored to have been a part of it. The veterans talked about serving their countries and the pride they feel on a deep level in doing so. Helping to preserve their memories and experiences gave me that same feeling, that memorializing their special moments was in turn serving our country by keeping alive these snippets of passion, tears, laughs, and smiles that these brave men conveyed that helped shape the history of this country. That was an unexpected experience for me, and I will treasure that always.”
Julie Schoettle, RPR, an official court reporter from Hatfield, Pa.
“I don’t have to ever worry about that again. Years from now folks will be able to see pictures and read a bit about who he was, is, and will always be. This honor means more than words can ever express.”
Gold Star Mother Sonja Ruhren, Stafford, Va., whose son, U.S. Army Sgt. David A. Ruhren, died while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Serving never ceases to give back
“Truly the most touching point for me was the effect this day had on our volunteers. As we shared our program with each veteran, they would often begin sharing their stories.”
NCRA Past President Debbie Dibble, FAPR, RDR, CRR, CRC, a freelance court reporter and broadcast captioner from Salt Lake City, Utah
To read more about past VHP events and what those who have participated in them have to say, visit TheJCR.com and search VHP or Veterans History Project. Additional resources about hosting a VHP event can be found in NCRF’s Veterans History Project (VHP) Tool Kit. For more information about NCRF and its Oral History Programs, contact NCRF Director Jill Parker Landsman at jlandsman@ncra.org.
Going to Bellevue, Wash., in 2026?
NCRF is seeking family members and friends of NCRA members in the Bellevue, Wash., area who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and are interested in sharing their wartime experiences during a special VHP event happening at the 2026 NCRA Conference & Expo taking place July 16-18, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue. The VHP event will take place July 16, 2026.
For more information, contact NCRF Director Jill Parker Landsman at jlandsman@ncra.org.
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