Personal Military History and Oral History Interview
Far too often those from our families pass, and either did not or could not share the details – the story – of their service. With our “greatest generation” now passing far too swiftly, SilverLeaf can prepare for and conduct a detailed oral history with your veteran in a session that the family can participate in and record.
Ryan Yantis, Lt. Col., US Army (retired), brings more than 30 years of military and history education, training, and practical experience to help clients unravel the service history of their parents, grandparents and beyond. Ryan has great insights into the military services over the last century and can readily access online resources to help unravel your veteran’s story, creating a cherished family memory. He has a passion for helping veterans share their stories.
Call Ryan at 815-355-6411 to Create a Cherished Family Memory
“My Uncle Jim - who is now 97 - served in WWII, but would never talk about it with any of the family. Ryan sat down and talked with him – veteran to veteran. I could not believe all the information Jim shared about his time in the Army in the Pacific.
It was amazing and wonderful to get to hear and record his stories. It’s a family treasure.”
Mary, Jim’s adult niece, 2016
A Standard Veteran Interview ($300) includes dedicated time to research, prepare for, and conduct an interview/oral history with the veteran (if the veteran is living and willing/able). Ryan provides a professional out-brief including SilverLeaf’s proprietary Veteran Service Timeline in printed format. Audio/video recording of the interview/oral history is permitted on mutual agreement for an additional fee, or the client may provide the AV equipment themselves.
A Detailed Veteran Interview ($500) includes dedicated time to research, prepare for, and conduct an interview/oral history with the veteran (if the veteran is living and willing/able). Ryan provides a professional out-brief including SilverLeaf’s proprietary Veteran Service Timeline in printed format, or a multipage narrative, annotated and including available photographs, maps, graphics, and other details to help record and preserve the veterans’ story. Audio/video recording of the interview/oral history is permitted on mutual agreement for an additional fee, or the client may provide the AV equipment themselves.
A Special Veteran Interview (beginning at $1,000) includes dedicated time to research, prepare for, and conduct an interview/oral history with the veteran (if the veteran is living and willing/able). Ryan provides a professional out-brief including SilverLeaf’s proprietary Veteran Service Timeline in printed format, or a multipage narrative, annotated and including available photographs, maps, graphics, and other details to help record and preserve the veterans’ story. This is the package for veterans with dynamic and multi-decade or multi-service careers in the military. Audio/video recording of the interview/oral history is permitted on mutual agreement for an additional fee, or the client may provide the AV equipment themselves.
Regardless of the interview selected, requests for research to be conducted beyond the scope of the agreed interview will be quoted and agreed to in writing in advance. Expenses for travel 50 miles beyond the 60014 zip code will be included in the written estimate. A 50% retainer is required to begin research and prep work for a Standard Veteran Interview.
Questions, call Ryan Yantis at 815-355-6411.