Veteran Robert L. Rothe describes the various places he traveled throughout his time served in World War II as well as the love of his life he met while on a 14-day leave. Rothe served in the war between the years of 1943 to 1946. View more veterans' stories at the Veterans History Project and see more interviews conducted by the Illinois Veteran's History Project.

“I would sing, I would do some exercises, I would tell myself jokes…just to keep occupied and not feel like I was going nuts"

Robert Weinberg, a former captain of the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942-1945 talks about his World War II experiences while stationed in Italy. He describes the time he was captured by Hitler Youth after his plane was shot down. He was then imprisoned by German forces in the Stalag Luft III prisoner of war camp where “it was dark…They made their bread with half sawdust & pieces of wood in it…" View more veterans' stories at the Veterans History Project and see more interviews conducted by the Missouri Veterans History Project.

Harry Ettlinger, one of the last surviving members of the Monuments Men, talks about his service recovering the stolen art by Nazis during World War II. He feels proud of his accomplishments and the United States' policy to return all found art to its rightful owners. The story of the Monuments Men was made into a film, which was released on February 7, 2014.

Harry Ettlinger, one of the last surviving members of the Monuments Men, talks about his World War II service in Germany where he spent 10 months in salt mines helping to secure stolen art by the Nazis. The story of the Monuments Men was made into a film, which was released on. February 7, 2014.

Veteran Ian Welch recalls what happened to him while waiting to storm across the Diyala Bridge and seize Baghdad when an artillery round exploded behind him. Welch explains that he went on to complete his mission, as well as two more combat tours in Iraq, despite a list of symptoms that would later leave him completely disabled. Welch discusses how his life has changed since the explosion and thanks his girlfriend Katie is helping him cope. The Iraq War officially ended on December 15, 2011 with US Troops pulling out on December 18, though some remained until the end of the month.

Veteran Whitley Carder describes the missions he had during his deployment in Iraq and recounts what his life was like under the working conditions of war. He discusses the disappointment of finding out more troops were being sent to Iraq, increasing the length of his deployment, and remembers the specifies of the missions he was a part of. On December 18, 2011 the majority of US troops left Iraq, with the rest leaving by the end of the month. The Iraq War officially ended on December 15, 2011.

Marine Lance Corporal Travis Williams recounts when he lost his entire squad to an explosion in Iraq on August 3, 2005. Williams explains how the traumatic event has stayed with him and talks about how his work making custom knives is helping him move on with his life. He addresses the survivors guilt he experiences and remembers the men who he worked with in Iraq. The Iraq War officially ended on December 15, 2011 with most troops pulling out by December 18th.

Pearl Harbor survivor Thomas Crump, from Jeffersontown, KY, reminiscences about the day his life changed for the worst. In December of 1941, Crump never imagined that he would see anything like the devastation that occurred. He recalls burnt faces, smoking ships and countless, maimed bodies that would forever remain nameless. Crump urges Americans to always remember Pearl Harbor and to always be alert. The attack occurred on December 7, 1941 and America joined WWII the following day.

Herb Weatherwax, born in Honolulu on June 3rd 1917, discusses his first person account on the events at Pearl Harbor in 1941. His interview recounts the time when “the sky was black with smoke" and the workers in the Harbor suffered “more than a material damage”. Weatherwax frequently visits the memorial to get his story out to the hundreds of people that visit each year.

Pearl Harbor survivor, Jim Gates, recalls a specific experience from the day Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. His first person account begins on December 7, 1941. Gates remembers watching the unfortunate and inevitable death of a man in a plane. He was located in a large plastic doom, watching, with no way to help.