About Us
Our Mission
The mission of the AVC is to ‘guard the legacy and honor the sacrifice’ of American veterans from the last 75 years of our shared history. Through oral history preservation, educational programs and civic events, we preserve the stories – and lessons – of veterans past and present, from which future generations can learn.
Veterans of the legendary Doolittle Raid – Lt. Colonel Edward Saylor and Lt. Colonel Richard Cole – pose with military students at the AVC Annual Conference.
In that time, the AVC has grown to join our nation’s elite institutions in preserving our shared military history and passing it on to future generations. The AVC is also the home to Emmy-winning television and multimedia programming sharing the stories of those who have served.
Programs of the American Veterans Center
- Annual Veterans Conference & National Youth Leadership Summit. The AVC’s signature event, held in advance of Veterans Day, brings together America’s most distinguished veterans, where share their lessons and experiences with an audience of hundreds of students from each of our military service academies and more than two dozen ROTC programs from across the country. The program provides an opportunity for tomorrow’s leaders to meet with and learn from the legends that have preceded them.
- Veterans’ Oral Histories. Over its history, the AVC has recorded to audio and video the stories of thousands of American veterans from World War II to the present day. All interviews are provided to the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project for use by future researchers, and are made available for documentary production and museum exhibits.
- The Wounded Warrior Experience. Filmed annually for television, the Wounded Warrior Experience both spotlights the inspiring stories of service members recovering from their wounds in combat and calls attention to services available to veterans, particularly those suffering from the “unseen wounds” of post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and the risk of suicide.
- Andrew J. Goodpaster Prize and Lecture. Presented annually in conjunction with the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, the Goodpaster Prize and Lecture spotlights outstanding work among America’s “soldier-scholars.”
- The World War II High School Curriculum. Created by the World War II Veterans Committee, a comprehensive curriculum that can be used by teachers and students to supplement their knowledge of the importance World War II played in both American and World History.
- The National Memorial Day Parade. Now our nation’s largest Memorial Day event, drawing some 300,000 spectators and featuring a national television broadcast, the parade was inaugurated by the AVC in 2005 along Constitution Avenue, following a period of some 60+ years in which our nation’s capital was without a parade on our military’s most sacred holiday. The parade is a moving timeline of American military history, calling attention to the true meaning of the holiday – saluting our nation’s fallen heroes.
- American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes. An Emmy-winning television spectacular, American Valor salutes the legends and heroes of the last 75 years of American military history, their stories narrated and introduced by Hollywood celebrities and noted Americans. A Veterans Day television tradition, American Valor spotlights the very best of who we are as Americans.
- Documentary Programs & Television Specials. Including Doolittle’s Raiders: A Final Toast, sharing the story of the 80 legendary Doolittle Raiders and their final survivors. Recipient of an Emmy Award, Doolittle’s Raiders: A Final Toast premiered at the U.S. Capitol before airing on Public Television nationwide.
- American Valor Quarterly. The AVC’s official magazine, AVQ features first hand stories from American heroes, adding their voice to the historical record.
- Documentary Programs & Television Specials. Including the recently released Doolittle’s Raiders: A Final Toast, which premiered at the U.S. Capitol’s visitor center and aired on public television nationwide.
- Veterans Chronicles. A popular podcast and weekly radio series, Veterans Chronicles features interviews with the men and women who saw – and made – history.
Among many other programs you can learn about throughout our website.
LEADERSHIP
- James C. Roberts, Executive Chairman
- Tim Holbert, President
- Seth Nichols, Vice President of Development
- Daniel Taksas, Production Director
- Zack Sweeney, Director of Outreach Strategy and Production Management
HELP GUARD THE LEGACY OF ALL AMERICAN VETERANS
The American Veterans Center is funded solely through charitable gifts from foundations, corporate supporters, and thousands of generous individuals like you.
We are honored to carry on this important mission, and welcome your support. 
Heroes of the famed Tuskegee Airmen are honored at the AVC’s Emmy-winning television spectacular, American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes.
Speakers from the “World War II Trailblazers” Panel at the AVC Conference.
A Midshipman from the United States Naval Academy with Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot, Lt. Colonel Richard Cole.
