Imprints of Honor links students with Veterans to preserve history

Imprints of Honor, formerly known as the Veterans Heritage Project, is on a mission to connect students with Veterans to honor Veterans, preserve America’s heritage, and develop future leaders.

Michelle DiMuro, Executive Director at Imprints of Honor, and Barbara Hatch, Founder of Imprints of Honor, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss this project in more detail.

“Students saw the movie ‘Saving Private Ryan,'” Hatch said, “…and they wanted to know more of the behind-the-scenes, of what went on.”

Imprints of Honor is dedicated to recognizing the service of U.S. Veterans throughout history. Students from 7th grade through college have one-on-one interviews with Veterans to collect their stories, ensuring they are not lost to future generations.

“They’re getting, not just first person history, but they’re getting a character in civic education as well,” DiMuro said.

The program primarily works with students from grades 7 – 12 but also with college students. These students improve their academic skills through writing and history and have opportunities to build their leadership skills.

“For our Veterans sometimes it’s the first time ever sharing their story,” DiMuro said. “…each year, anywhere from a 1/4 to 1/3 of our Veterans are sharing their story for the first time…that opens up that conversation with their family for ongoing conversations.”

Each Veteran story is video and audio recorded to then later be archived in the Library of Congress. These records are preserved for future generations and students’ publication. Students in the program publish a book filled with these stories to become the family heirloom of that Veteran.

“…as many as 85% will tell us that it was a very cathartic experience for them,” DiMuro said, “…and they feel like they would 100% recommend another Veteran to participate.”