Profiles in Preservation: American Veterans Center

The American Veterans Center (AVC) has been preserving the legacy of American veterans from the last 85 years for more than two decades. Ensuring the stories and experiences of those who served are remembered, its mission is to educate future generations about our shared modern history through oral history preservation, educational programs and civic events.

The AVC's major endeavors are: Guarding Their Legacy through education and preservation and Honoring Their Sacrifice by utilizing multimedia programs and events. Its signature annual events — the American Veterans Conference and American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes Gala — bring together generations of veterans and leaders to share their stories and honor those who served in recent conflicts. The upcoming conference features naval aviators, some of whom flew as stunt pilots in Top Gun: Maverick; the women CIA agents behind the scenes in the search for Bin Laden; and Medal of Honor recipients. American Valor, the AVC’s Emmy-winning television spectacular, salutes the legends and heroes of the last 75 years of American military history, becoming a Veterans Day television tradition.

Beyond these large-scale events, the AVC is dedicated to preserving military history as told by those who experienced it. Over its history, the AVC has recorded the stories of thousands of American veterans from World War II to the present day. All interviews are provided to the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project for use by future researchers. In addition to videos and documentary programs, the AVC has created a comprehensive World War II high school curriculum, with input from veterans.

“It is a privilege to preserve the legacy of America’s servicemen and women, and an honor to share their experiences with such wide audiences, and with generations to come,” said Tim Holbert, President of American Veterans Center. “There’s something to learn from each and every story our veterans tell, and our mission is to ensure those lessons are not forgotten.”

Over the past several years, the Trust has worked with the AVC on the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. Now our nation’s largest Memorial Day event, drawing more than 300,000 spectators and featuring a national television broadcast, the parade was inaugurated by the AVC in 2005 along Constitution Avenue. The first parade followed a period of more than 60 years in which the nation’s capital was without a parade on Memorial Day. The parade now serves as a moving timeline of American military history, with the 250th anniversary of the country bringing even more attention to the full evolution of the United States armed forces.

Whereas the AVC focuses on recent military history, the Trust’s mission is to preserve and interpret Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War battlefields. The National Memorial Day Parade offered an incredible opportunity to bring these passions together — the Trust works with reenactor and living history groups to demonstrate the evolution of the U.S. Army in the parade, from the American Revolution to the Civil War. This year, with the added excitement of the Semiquincentennial and involvement of Freedom 250 in the parade’s planning and execution, groups commemorated Revolutionary soldiers, USCT marchers and mounted Civil War artillery.

“The National Memorial Day Parade is an opportunity to bring together the best parts of our country,” added Holbert. “Sharing the story of American service and sacrifice across our first 250 years is a powerful experience, and we are grateful to be the steward of it.”

The American Veterans Center mirrors the mission of the Trust — preserving American history and those who created it — across centuries and conflicts, ensuring the stories and lessons of the past are guarded for future generations to learn from.