West Florida News

U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) has announced the latest installment in the Veterans History Project Series, featuring the military career and accomplishments of Stephen Valdes, a U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force Veteran from Punta Gorda, Florida. This project aims to honor the brave veterans of Florida's 17th District.

In his statement, Rep. Steube expressed admiration for Valdes' dedication to his country, stating, "Mr. Valdes' military career is the definition of service. He has the utmost respect for our country, and everyone can learn something about service by listening to his testimony."

During the interview, Valdes shared his perspective on the significance of serving the nation. He emphasized the bonds formed during basic training, saying, "The people that you went through basic training with. You never forgot them." Valdes also expressed his personal stance on the phrase "Thank you for your service," stating, "I don't like people saying, 'Thank you for your service.' It wasn't service. It's an obligation to my country."

Valdes further explained his generation's unique perspective on patriotism, saying, "My generation was the last generation that grew up with the great concept of the patriotic war, and with love of country. It doesn't come with fighting for resources, it doesn't come with fighting for political ideals. It came from serving your country."

The full interview can be watched on Congressman Steube's YouTube channel, and future Veteran History Project interviews will also be featured there.

Additionally, the Office of Congressman Greg Steube will submit this interview to the Veterans History Project, an initiative by the Library of Congress's American Folklife Center. The project's goal is to collect and preserve the oral histories of American veterans so that future generations can hear directly from these brave individuals and gain a better understanding of their service.

The Veterans History Project, which began in 2000, documents the personal accounts of veterans and Gold Star Families, with the aim of providing valuable primary sources for researchers, scholars, and educators. The project includes oral histories, photographs, manuscripts, and other original materials that supplement historical texts and contribute to our cultural resources.

All veterans who served in the United States military from World War I to the present are eligible to participate in the Veterans History Project. For more information on how to get involved, please visit the project's website at https://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Residents of Florida's 17th congressional district can also participate in the project by visiting https://steube.house.gov/services/vhp.

Through initiatives like the Veterans History Project, important stories of bravery, sacrifice, and dedication are preserved for future generations to learn from and appreciate.

To find out more, go to this link: https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/u-s-rep-greg-steube-announces-veteran-history-project-interview-featuring-military-veteran-stephen-valdes/