Field document · For the record
Mission Briefing
Foundation
Veterans’ Voices didn’t begin as a formal project—it started as an idea that slowly took shape in the back of Ethan’s mind. Growing up in a family shaped by immigration—his parents from Canada, and his mother originally from Hong Kong—he realized there was a side of American history he hadn’t really experienced firsthand, especially when it came to military service and the people behind it. He had always been interested in history, but this felt different—more personal, more immediate, and not something he was going to learn in a classroom. The turning point came in May 2025, when he volunteered to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at a Memorial Day ceremony. Standing there in front of veterans and community members, he felt a sense of responsibility and connection that stuck with him. A few weeks later, at the Post 440 awards ceremony on June 19, everything clicked. He met veterans, their families, and community leaders, and realized that each person there carried a story that reflected both personal and national history. Conversations—some casual, some deeper—opened his eyes to how much was there to be heard. Hearing parts of Kevin McNamara’s story months before formally interviewing him made it even more real. At that point, the idea stopped being abstract. He decided to commit—buying equipment, reaching out, and taking the first step toward building something that could preserve those voices.
Command
Right now, Veterans’ Voices is actively growing, with three completed interviews that each brought something completely different to the project. What he has learned quickly is that this is not an easy process. Recording itself can be unpredictable—background noise, environmental distractions, and technical challenges all affect the quality of what he captures. But the real work happens afterward. Editing takes time—sometimes a lot of it—especially when he is trying to balance schoolwork, quizzes, and deadlines while also doing justice to hours of recorded material. He is constantly making decisions about what to include, how to structure each story, and how to preserve the veteran’s voice in a way that feels both accurate and meaningful. Communication can also be a challenge at times, depending on each veteran’s familiarity with technology or availability. But despite all of that, the process has been incredibly rewarding. He has come to see this project as more than just a series of interviews—it is a bridge between generations. In a time where conversations about service and sacrifice feel more distant, he takes pride in being able to help carry these stories forward and make them accessible to people who might not otherwise hear them.
Forward
Looking ahead, Ethan wants Veterans’ Voices to continue expanding—both in the number of interviews and in the audience it reaches. There are still so many stories out there, even within his own community, and he wants to keep documenting them before they are lost to time. But beyond that, he also wants this project to resonate with his generation. One thing that has stood out across every interview so far is how often veterans offer advice to younger people, especially those who feel uncertain or directionless. A common message he has heard is simple but powerful: if you don’t know what to do, consider serving—because it can give you structure, purpose, and perspective. He thinks that is something more people his age should hear and seriously think about. At the same time, he hopes this project gains greater recognition within Post 440 and the broader community, not for his own sake, but because of the importance of the stories themselves. Ultimately, his goal is for Veterans’ Voices to become something lasting—something that continues to grow, reach more people, and ensure that these voices are not just recorded, but truly heard.
With gratitude
Thank you to every veteran who has shared time and trust for an interview. Thank you to Post 440 and the veterans’ association community whose encouragement helped launch this podcast. Thank you to families, friends, and neighbors who support veterans in telling their stories—and who remind us why oral history matters close to home.