From a veteran-owned business
Stories of service, in their own voice
Some of the best stories never get told because nobody asks. An Afterlife Album gives the veteran in your family a gentle, unhurried way to share them, by writing or by recording their voice, and to choose who gets to hear them. As a veteran-owned business, this one matters to us.
Questions worth asking
Let them skip anything they’d rather not talk about. Some memories are heavy, and a story told at their own pace is the one worth keeping.
Before the uniform
- What was your life like the year before you joined?
- What made you decide to serve, and who did you tell first?
- What do you remember about your first day?
The people beside you
- Who was the friend you leaned on most, and how did you meet?
- Who made everyone laugh when things were hard?
- Is there someone you served with you still think about? What would you tell them today?
Daily life in service
- What did an ordinary day look like for you?
- What skill did you learn that you still use?
- What’s a small thing (a letter, a meal, a song) that meant the world back then?
Coming home
- What was the first thing you did when you got home?
- What was harder or easier about coming back than you expected?
- How did your service change the way you see the world?
For the family
- What do you want your grandchildren to understand about your time in service?
- What are you proudest of?
- Is there anything you’ve never been asked about, but wish someone would?
Another place to preserve their story
The Library of Congress runs the Veterans History Project, which collects first-person accounts from veterans for future generations. It’s a separate, public program (we’re not affiliated with it), and many families choose to do both: a private album for the family, and an oral history for the nation.
Questions? We’re here.
Call 714-559-4979 or email memories@afterlifealbum.com