Sarasota Review

U.S. Representative Greg Steube has released a new installment in the Veterans History Project Series, featuring an interview with Vietnam War veteran Private First Class David Endean. The project aims to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans from Florida’s 17th District.

“Private First Class David Endean’s service during the Vietnam War is a testament to the courage, perseverance, and camaraderie of our men and women in uniform,” said Rep. Steube. “Through intense combat and heartbreaking loss, his reflections are a moving account of a soldier’s experiences in war. We are honored that he shared his journey so that his fellow citizens may pay tribute to his legacy. Sadly, not all who served in Vietnam were met with the respect and care they deserved when they returned home. PFC Endean’s story reminds us why honoring and preserving the history of our veterans is so important.”

Endean's interview covers various aspects of his military experience, including the physical and emotional challenges faced during combat, as well as the strong bonds formed with fellow soldiers. He describes the difficulty of carrying heavy equipment under constant threat: “Try going to work one day and carry a 70-pound backpack,” said Endean.“Now imagine walking around with it all day, knowing at any moment you could step on a booby trap or be ambushed. Try doing that for a year. That was our life.”

The interview also touches on how Endean's military service influenced his personal values such as discipline, respect, and commitment—principles he carried into his civilian career in electrical engineering.

The Office of Congressman Greg Steube plans to submit this interview to the Veterans History Project (VHP), part of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center initiative designed to collect and preserve oral histories from U.S. military veterans.

Started in 2000, VHP collects personal accounts from United States military veterans across all branches who have served since World War I. These accounts serve as primary sources for researchers, scholars, and educators by supplementing historical texts with firsthand experiences.

For those interested in participating or learning more about VHP within Florida’s 17th Congressional district, further information can be found at https://steube.house.gov/services/vhp.