Featured Project
FACES OF FREEDOM

Chuck Delaney

What began as a four-year enlistment became a long and meaningful Navy career for Chuck Delaney. During his service in Vietnam, Chuck worked as a radio operator on the ground and took on dangerous assignments that tested his courage and compassion. One of the most powerful moments in his story is his reunion decades later with the man who carried him to safety. Although the effects of war followed Chuck home, so did a deep pride in having served his country. He continued supporting fellow veterans through his leadership and service at the local VFW.

Doug Randolph

Doug Randolph’s journey took him into the Marine Corps and onto the dangerous trails of Vietnam, where walking point meant carrying responsibility for the Marines behind him. His memories include friendship, loss, survival and the events of January 13, 1971, a day that remained with him long after he returned home. Doug also faced people who underestimated his abilities, but he continued working, learning and proving that persistence mattered more than their judgment. His story closes with a message shaped by everything he endured: there is always tomorrow.

Bill Lindholm

Bill Lindholm once believed being drafted was the end of the world, but becoming a United States Marine helped him discover confidence and strength he did not know he possessed. In Vietnam, Bill was gravely wounded while trying to help another Marine and survived because his fellow Marines refused to leave him behind. His Purple Heart, Bronze Star with Valor and lifelong bond with Lieutenant John Admire reflect a story of courage, brotherhood and sacrifice. Looking back, Bill’s message to the frightened young man he once was is simple: “You’re going to be all right.”

Jim Deister

Jim Deister entered the military as a young man and, only 19 days later, found himself serving in Vietnam. During a night when his position was overrun, Jim crossed a canal under fire to help wounded soldiers reach safety. His experiences, injuries and long recovery became part of a story many people recognize through its connection to the movie Forrest Gump. Jim’s account is ultimately about courage, sacrifice and the realization that every person he fought to save was worth the risk.

Dale Wilson

Dale Wilson’s Navy story is shaped not only by what he remembers, but also by the experiences fellow service members have helped him reconstruct. He recalls dangerous flights, aircraft crashes and the lasting connection represented by a ship that still exists today. Some parts of his service remain a blank period, illustrating how memory can protect, fade or become difficult to recover over time. Dale’s interview demonstrates why preserving veterans’ stories often requires listening to families, friends and those who served beside them.

Gail "Pep" Shanelec

Gail Pep’s military service began with an ordinary skill that became extraordinarily important: the ability to type. That skill led to an assignment with the Fifth Air Force, where Gail helped document and share the stories of the men whose service might otherwise have gone unrecognized. From the day Pearl Harbor made the war frighteningly real to the determination to return to the unit, Gail’s memories provide a personal look at World War II. The story is also a reminder that every military role contributed to the larger mission. You can hear more about Pep's story in his interview with The Eisenhower Foundation.

Janelle Heiser

Janelle Heiser entered military service during a time when women arrived at boot camp wearing dresses and faced expectations very different from those of today. Her experiences are filled with memorable details, but her understanding of service extends far beyond the uniform. Janelle believes serving means caring for people, supporting military families and recognizing the sacrifices made at home as well as abroad. Her story offers an important perspective on the women who served and helped change the military for those who followed.

Rick Heiser

Rick Heiser’s Navy service introduced him to a world much larger than the one he had known before joining. Life aboard an aircraft carrier meant becoming part of what he describes as a small city, surrounded by constant activity, machinery and sound. The experience shaped his priorities, expanded his view of the world and left memories that remained long after his service ended. Rick’s story explores both the opportunities military service created and the lasting personal cost that can accompany it.

Ricky Bonilla

For Ricky Bonilla, military service was part of a family tradition, and he enlisted at just 17 years old. During his service in Iraq, mortar alarms and uncertainty became part of everyday life, creating memories of fear, friendship, humor and survival. While Ricky was away on rest and recuperation, an attack struck the motor pool where he normally worked, an experience that left him feeling incredibly fortunate to be alive. His stories reveal both the seriousness of deployment and the friendships that helped service members endure it.

John Admire

Major General John Admire served 43 years with the United States Marine Corps, including five combat tours across three wars. Beginning his career as a private and retiring as a major general, he remained most proud of being a Marine infantryman and leading alongside the men he served. His experiences in Vietnam, and the lifelong bonds formed with Marines such as Bill “Tiny” Lindholm, inspired his novel, Darker Than Dark. Through his story, John shares enduring lessons about courage, sacrifice, leadership and the time, love and respect that unite Marines as family.