Christopher Raso, seventh-grade social studies teacher at the Canyon Ridge School High School in Surprise, an NSSAR, ASDAR and Arizona History Award-winning instructor, had his students interview Vietnam veteran Patrick Alley by asking questions and videotaping the interview.

Because of COVID restrictions and Mr. Alley residing in Virginia at the time, this process was done virtually.

The students are members of the Arizona-based Veteran’s Heritage Project organization, which interview veterans across the state of Arizona.

Mr. Alley’s interview will be published in the 2022 hardbound book, “Since You Asked.” The book, along with a video, are submitted each year to the U.S. Library of Congress Veterans History Program to immortalize American military history by preserving veteran hero stories.

Veterans are sponsored through donations from individuals and organizations, and the Sun City Agua Fria National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter was again proud to donate funds to assist with the publication of the book. Anyone interested in supporting the VHP can visitveteransheritage.org.

The Agua Fria NSDAR chapter also sent Mr. Alley a 50th Vietnam-era commemoration pin packet containing a special lapel pin, a brochure explaining what the symbols represent on the pin, a button, bumper stickers and a chapter thank you letter.

The Department of Defense is sponsoring the 50th Commemoration Project, which will end in 2025 denoting the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. To become a part of the Commemorative Partner Program with the DOD Vietnam War Commemoration Project, visitvietnamwar50th.com.

The Agua Fria chapter website — aguafriaarizonadar.weebly.com — is also displaying how the chapter honors and thanks United States veterans who are receiving the lapel pins and recognizing all the members NSDAR Proven Patriots.