West Florida News

U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) has announced a new interview in the Veterans History Project Series, showcasing the military career of United States Army National Guard veteran Dan O’Leary. Representative Steube praised O'Leary's dedication, stating, “In the words of Dan O’Leary, ‘freedom isn’t free.’ His steadfast dedication to serving all Americans exemplifies true patriotism. We salute you, Dan, for your sacrifice and duty. Thank you for sharing your testimony of service.”

Reflecting on his service, Dan O’Leary emphasized the importance of recognizing the cost of freedom, saying, “Not everybody realizes freedom isn’t free. Nonetheless our responsibility is still to serve all Americans, and to provide liberty to all Americans, whether they appreciate it or not.” O’Leary also expressed a desire for greater awareness among Americans, stating, “I wish the average American particularly the ones who have not served before and don’t have a great understanding of the military’s role. I wish they understood how good they have it here, and how they should be extremely grateful, not just for the military, but the rights that they enjoy.”

The interview will be submitted to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center, aimed at collecting and preserving the oral histories of the nation’s veterans. Started in 2000, the project seeks to make accessible the personal accounts of U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families. Veterans from all branches and ranks who served from World War I to recent conflicts are eligible to participate. The project's collections serve as valuable primary sources for researchers, scholars, and educators.

To watch the full interview with Dan O’Leary, viewers can visit Congressman Steube’s YouTube channel. For more information on the Veterans History Project, individuals can visit https://www.loc.gov/vets/. Residents of Florida’s 17th congressional district are encouraged to participate in the project by visiting https://steube.house.gov/services/vhp.