All my life, I’ve been fascinated by the power of storytelling.

To me, stories are not just words on a page–they are the lifeblood that connects us to the past and passes wisdom to future generations. J.K. Rowling once said:

“No story lives unless someone wants to listen. The stories we love best do live in us forever.”

Very early on, I knew I wanted to be part of that mission: preserving stories for the future. As a kid, I wrote tales of imagined lands and impossible adventures. Those stories came from deep within me — they weren’t just fiction, they were expressions of my heart.

As a videographer, I’ve discovered that storytelling becomes something even more powerful. It’s not just about words — you can see emotions come to life. You watch someone’s eyes light up, hear their voice tremble, and feel the weight of their memories. Video allows us to capture stories in a way that brings them fully into the present–so they’re never forgotten.

And that brings me to the Veterans History Project.

When I was first approached about documenting the stories of local veterans, I was honored — but also deeply nervous. It wasn’t because this was my first major film project at Iowa Valley. It was the weight of the responsibility. These were sacred stories — some that had never been told before — and I was being trusted to preserve them.

In the days leading up to the shoot, that pressure felt overwhelming. I even considered changing the direction of the project or asking someone else to take it on. I was afraid I couldn’t do justice to something so important. Even with reassurance from my boss, the fear lingered.

Then the day arrived.

Our first veteran entered the room. My nerves were still there, but so was the sense of purpose. I reminded myself: these stories matter. Families who had never heard these words before might now have the chance to pass them on for generations.

Lights. Camera. Action.

And something changed.

As each of the six veterans spoke, I found myself drawn into their worlds. I laughed with them. I cried with them. I went on emotional journeys — right there behind the lens. Their words stayed with me, long after the shoot. They still do.

Too many stories are lost to time. As a videographer and storyteller, I’m proud to do my part in preserving them. These veterans gave so much so that people like me — creators, dreamers, listeners — could carry their legacies forward.

These are the stories we need. These are the stories that stay with us. And it’s our job to keep them alive — through video.

I can’t wait to return and keep telling the stories that matter.

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Joshua Benda is a videographer at Iowa Valley Community College.