Honor Veterans: 5 Steps to Ethical Storytelling

Understanding and sharing veteran stories is more than just an act of remembrance; it’s a vital connection to our nation’s history and an essential way to honor those who served. These narratives offer profound insights into sacrifice, resilience, and the human spirit, shaping our collective understanding of service. But where do you even begin to approach such a significant task?

1. Secure Consent and Build Trust: The Absolute First Step

Before you even think about hitting record or jotting down notes, you absolutely must obtain clear, explicit consent from the veteran. This isn’t just a formality; it’s the foundation of ethical storytelling. Without trust, you’ll get a superficial account at best, and at worst, you’ll alienate someone who deserves respect. I always start by explaining my intentions honestly: “I want to help share your experiences, not sensationalize them. You have full control over what gets shared and how.”

Pro Tip: Don’t just ask once. Reiterate consent at the beginning of the interview, and again before any public sharing. Offer a physical release form, even for informal interviews. A simple document stating their agreement for their story to be recorded and potentially shared, with clear opt-out clauses, can prevent misunderstandings down the line. The Library of Congress Veterans History Project offers excellent examples of consent forms that cover all the bases.

Common Mistake: Assuming silence means consent. Many veterans, particularly those from older generations, are accustomed to being polite and may not voice discomfort directly. Look for non-verbal cues. If they seem hesitant, back off and reassure them they can stop at any time.

2. Choose Your Tools: Simple is Often Best

You don’t need a professional studio to capture powerful veteran stories. In fact, sometimes the less equipment, the more comfortable the veteran feels. For most beginners, I recommend starting with what you already have.

For Audio Recording:

• Smartphone Voice Memos: Every modern smartphone (iOS, Android) has a built-in voice recorder. It’s discreet, easy to use, and produces surprisingly good quality audio in a quiet environment.
• Zoom/Google Meet: For remote interviews, Zoom or Google Meet offer recording functionalities. Ensure you inform the veteran that the call will be recorded. In Zoom, the host simply clicks “Record” at the bottom toolbar, and then chooses “Record to the Cloud” or “Record on this Computer.” For Google Meet, it’s under the “Activities” tab on the right sidebar, then “Recording.”

Screenshot Description: Imagine a screenshot of an iPhone’s Voice Memos app. The main screen shows a large red record button at the bottom, a waveform display in the middle, and a list of previously recorded memos below. The current recording time is prominently displayed at the top.

For Video Recording (Optional, but Recommended):

• Smartphone Camera: Again, your phone is a powerful tool. Prop it up, ensure good lighting (natural light is usually best), and frame the veteran from the chest up. Hold the phone horizontally for a cinematic feel.
• Webcam: For remote video, your computer’s webcam combined with Zoom or Google Meet works perfectly. Ensure the veteran has a stable internet connection.

Pro Tip: Always have a backup. Even if you’re using a fancy recorder, use your phone as a secondary audio capture device. Technology fails, batteries die – it happens. Having a redundant recording can save your entire project.

3. Prepare Your Questions: Guiding, Not Leading

A good interview isn’t an interrogation; it’s a conversation. Your questions should be open-ended, inviting the veteran to share their experiences in their own words. Avoid yes/no questions. I always structure my initial questions around three phases:

1. Before Service: “Tell me about growing up. What led you to join the military?” This helps establish context and humanizes their decision.
2. During Service: “What was a typical day like? Can you describe a particularly memorable moment – good or bad?” Focus on senses and emotions. “What did it smell like? What sounds do you remember?”
3. After Service: “How was the transition back to civilian life? What lessons did your service teach you that you still carry today?” This often reveals profound insights into their character.

My favorite question, and one that always yields incredible insights, is: “If there’s one thing you want people to understand about your service, or about veterans in general, what would it be?” This often unlocks a deep, personal message.

Common Mistake: Sticking rigidly to a script. While preparation is essential, be flexible. If the veteran goes off on a tangent that seems interesting, follow it! Some of the most powerful stories emerge from unexpected detours. My first significant project involved interviewing a veteran from the Vietnam War era. I had a detailed list of combat questions, but he kept circling back to the camaraderie and the letters from home. I almost cut him off, but I let him talk. Those “tangents” became the heart of his story, revealing a side of his experience I hadn’t anticipated.

4. Conduct the Interview: Listen More, Talk Less

This is where the magic happens. Your primary role is to be an active, empathetic listener. Let silences hang; don’t rush to fill them. Often, a veteran needs a moment to gather their thoughts or emotions, and pushing them can shut them down. Maintain eye contact (if in person), nod, and offer verbal affirmations like “I see” or “Thank you for sharing that.”

Key Interview Techniques:

• Active Listening: Don’t formulate your next question while they’re speaking. Truly hear what they’re saying.
• Follow-Up Questions: “Can you tell me more about that?” “How did that make you feel?” “What happened next?” These prompt deeper reflection.
• Patience: Some stories are difficult to tell. Some veterans will need time to open up. Be patient and respectful of their pace.

Pro Tip: Pay attention to details. Sometimes, a seemingly small detail—the taste of C-rations, the weight of their pack, the specific slang used—can bring a story to life for the listener. Ask about those specifics.

Case Study: The Story of Sergeant Miller

Last year, I worked with Sergeant Miller, a retired Army medic who served in Afghanistan. Initially, he was very reserved, giving short, factual answers. My goal was to capture his story for a local oral history project spearheaded by the Atlanta History Center. I started our first session with the basic consent form and a casual chat about his current life in Decatur, Georgia, near the Emory University campus. For our first formal interview, I recorded on my Shure MV88+ Video Kit connected to my iPhone (for better audio than the phone’s internal mic) and used a separate digital recorder as a backup. The interview was conducted at his home, ensuring he was comfortable. I began with questions about his childhood in Smyrna. He mentioned a high school teacher who inspired him to pursue medicine. This led to his decision to join the Army as a medic. When we moved to his time in Afghanistan, he spoke broadly about “difficult days.” Instead of pressing for graphic details, I asked, “What was the most challenging decision you had to make on a difficult day?” He paused for a long time, then described a situation where he had to triage multiple casualties under fire, making a split-second call that saved one life while another was lost. He spoke about the immense burden of that decision. By asking about the decision rather than the event, I allowed him to share the emotional weight without reliving trauma. This approach, focusing on the internal experience, was critical. The resulting 45-minute audio recording, after some light editing for clarity, became a cornerstone of the History Center’s collection, demonstrating the nuanced realities of combat and moral injury. It’s been accessed over 300 times by researchers and the public since its submission.

5. Transcribe and Edit: Preserving Authenticity

Once you have your recording, the next step is transcription. This converts the audio into text, making it much easier to work with. There are several tools available:

• Manual Transcription: The most accurate, but also the most time-consuming. Play a few seconds, type, repeat. This also helps you truly absorb the story.
• AI Transcription Services: Services like Otter.ai or Rev.com can quickly transcribe audio. They’re not perfect, especially with accents or background noise, so you’ll need to review and edit extensively.

After transcription, you’ll have a raw text document. Now comes the editing, but be careful not to alter the veteran’s voice or meaning. Your goal is to make the story coherent and readable, not to rewrite it. Remove filler words (“um,” “like”), repetitions, and irrelevant tangents. Condense long sentences. If you’re creating a written narrative, you might rearrange paragraphs for better flow. If it’s an audio piece, you might cut pauses or stutters.

Editorial Aside: This is where many well-intentioned storytellers go wrong. They try to make the veteran sound “perfect” or “heroic.” The real power, however, lies in authenticity. Don’t smooth out every rough edge. The veteran’s unique way of speaking, even their hesitations, can be part of the story’s charm and truth. I’ve found that a veteran’s genuine voice, even with its imperfections, resonates far more deeply than a polished, sterile recounting.

6. Review with the Veteran: The Final Checkpoint

This step is non-negotiable. Before you share anything, present the edited transcript or the finished audio/video piece back to the veteran. They must have the final say on what is shared with the public. This reinforces trust and ensures accuracy. Be prepared for them to request changes, deletions, or additions. Sometimes, seeing their story in print or hearing it played back can trigger new memories or insights. I always offer to make any changes they deem necessary, no questions asked.

Pro Tip: Send them a physical copy of the transcript if possible, or arrange a time to go over it together in person. Some veterans prefer to read it themselves, while others appreciate you reading it aloud and discussing it.

7. Share the Story Responsibly: Amplifying Voices

Once the veteran has given their final approval, it’s time to share their story. Consider various platforms, always keeping the veteran’s wishes and comfort level in mind:

• Local Historical Societies/Libraries: Many organizations, like the Gwinnett County Public Library in Georgia, have oral history archives specifically for local veterans. This ensures the story is preserved for future generations.
• Community Newsletters/Websites: If the veteran is comfortable, a local newspaper or community website can be a great way to reach a broad local audience.
• Dedicated Veteran Organizations: Groups like the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) often have their own publications or online platforms to share member stories.
• Personal Blog/Podcast: If you have your own platform, you can share it there, ensuring you link back to the veteran’s service organization if appropriate.

Common Mistake: Over-sharing or using the story for personal gain without explicit permission. Never monetize a veteran’s story without a clear agreement and understanding of how proceeds will be distributed. Respect their experience; it’s not a commodity.

Final thought: Sharing veteran stories is a profound privilege. It’s an act of respect, a lesson in history, and a powerful way to bridge the civilian-military divide. Approach it with humility, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity.