DMACC Students' Hands-On Film Project Will Go Down in History

For a group of DMACC Film & Media Production students, a November assignment offered something beyond the opportunity to practice their craft: the chance to help preserve the stories of those who served.

On Nov. 6, students joined the ninth annual Veterans History Project event hosted by the office of U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley at American Legion Post 403 in Van Meter. Working alongside event organizers, students conducted and filmed interviews with Iowa veterans, capturing firsthand accounts of military service, sacrifice and life after returning home.

The recordings will be submitted for inclusion in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, a national effort to collect and preserve the experiences of U.S. military veterans for future generations.

One of the veterans interviewed was a retired Iowa Army National Guard officer who began his military career at age 17. Over more than three decades of service, he held numerous leadership assignments, including commanding the 224th Engineer Battalion during its 2005 deployment to Iraq. He recounted the realities of that deployment, including the loss of five soldiers under his command and the lasting relationships he maintains with those who served alongside him.

When asked what message he hoped future generations would take away from his story, he spoke about the importance of service beyond military uniform.

"I'm a big believer in service," he said, pointing to the many ways people contribute to their communities. "Along with those rights come the responsibilities of citizenship."

For students, capturing stories like these brought a human dimension to the technical and creative skills they are developing in the classroom.

Preserving the stories of Iowa veterans for future generations," said Miguel Tarango, DMACC Film & Media Production program chair. Tarango said the opportunity came through the strong reputation DMACC has built and its commitment to providing students with meaningful, real-world learning experiences. DMACC also supplied video equipment for the project.

"Beyond the technical skills involved, students had the privilege of helping celebrate and preserve the very human stories of service, sacrifice, and resilience shared by these veterans," Tarango said.

The experience gave students the opportunity to work with an external partner, adapt to the expectations of a professional production environment and contribute to a project with significance well beyond the day of filming.

For the veterans who shared their experiences, it offered an opportunity to ensure their stories - and the stories of those with whom they served - will remain accessible to generations who may never otherwise hear them firsthand.