The following is a press release written by the folks at Ancestry.com:

To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Ancestry, the global leader in family history, today announced a partnership with the WWII Veterans History Project to preserve and share the stories of those who served. Timed with Veterans Day 2025, Ancestry is honoring this historic milestone by introducing Thank You For Your Story, a commemorative storytelling effort complete with a WWII discovery and preservation hub featuring curated record collections, preserving the firsthand accounts of 80 WWII veterans, and helping countless others unearth their own. It's our way of saying, "Thank You For Your Story."

This initiative aims to preserve and share the experiences of those who served during one of history's most defining moments so they are not forgotten. With less than 1% of WWII veterans still alive today, as noted by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, this initiative comes at a crucial time.

"There's never been a more important time to honor our ancestors' WWII-era stories and lived experiences and to preserve the memory of some of America's most remarkable heroes," said Crista Cowan, Ancestry Corporate Genealogist. "Every family has a World War II story waiting to be discovered, and this initiative is a powerful way to remind people to uncover their personal connections to this chapter in history. These veterans' sacrifices not only deserve remembrance, but their wisdom and experiences offer invaluable lessons that can guide our lives today."

For the last ten years, the WWII Veterans History Project has spearheaded a nationwide effort to film and document the personal stories of WWII veterans. As part of this effort, a collection of these stories will be made available for free on Ancestry websites, where anyone can learn from the lived experiences of these American heroes – ensuring their voices are heard, remembered and passed down for future generations.

"This anniversary is a powerful reminder that the opportunity to hear directly from those who lived through it is disappearing fast," said Benjamin Mack-Jackson, Founder of the WWII Veterans History Project. "By partnering with Ancestry, we're able to make these vital human stories more widely accessible than ever before and ensure they're never forgotten."

Over the coming months, Ancestry and the WWII Veterans History Project will be uploading and preserving these powerful veteran stories. While the full experience will debut in early November, visitors can explore military records and resources now at www.ancestry.com/wwii to begin uncovering their own family's history and connection to this defining era.

About Ancestry:
Ancestry, the global leader in family history, connects everyone with their past so they can discover, preserve, and share their unique family stories. With our unparalleled collection of more than 65 billion records, over 3 million subscribers and over 27 million people in our growing DNA network, customers can discover their family story and gain a new level of understanding about their lives. Over the past 40 years, we've built trusted relationships with millions of people who have chosen us as the platform for discovering, preserving and sharing the most important information about themselves and their families.

About the WWII Veterans History Project:

The WWII Veterans History Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to give the past a future, one story at a time. We're dedicated to educating and inspiring future generations to better appreciate the sacrifices made by the greatest generation through documentary films, traveling museum exhibitions, and educational programs. Founded by Benjamin Mack-Jackson in 2015, our organization has impacted veterans and students alike, preserving countless war stories and encouraging students to reflect on the past and its lasting impact.