Uploaded November 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
During her service in the Army, Lt. Colonel Andrea Peters constantly worried about her hair. At that time, U.S. military regulations for hairstyles overlooked the needs of Black women, and Peters was uncertain if she would be reprimanded or if her professionalism would be questioned. For Peters, a hair pick symbolizes her role in getting the Army to recognize the needs of Black service members.
American Veteran: Keep It Close tells the stories of U.S. military veterans and the special objects they carried during deployment and beyond. These objects, ranging from a pebble to a vial of lip gloss, have provided everyday comfort and hope to the veterans — and offer civilians a window into the veteran experience. Although the stories are unique to the individual veterans and their military service, the concept of mementos and the emotions they can generate are universal.
Join our “Keep It Close” social media campaign by sharing a photo or describing an object that has significance to your experience as a veteran. Civilians: post an object, person, or place that makes you understand what veterans experience or have experienced. Add the hashtag #AmericanVeteranPBS to join the campaign.
Thank you to Analog Devices for supporting American Veteran: Keep It Close. You can learn more at analog.com/en/applications/markets/aerospace-and-defense-pavilion-home.html
// Subscribe to PBS Voices so you never miss an episode! bit.ly/PBSVoices
Watch the four-part broadcast “American Veteran” on pbs.org or the PBS video app, and listen to the podcast “American Veteran: Unforgettable Stories” wherever you get your podcasts.
pbs.org/wgbh/american-veteran
PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: pbs.org/wgbh/american-veteran
Keep up with PBS Digital Studios
Facebook: facebook.com/PBSDigitalStudios
Twitter: twitter.com/pbsds
Instagram: instagram.com/pbsds
#veterans #military #AmericanVeteranPBS
During her service in the Army, Lt. Colonel Andrea Peters constantly worried about her hair. At that time, U.S. military regulations for hairstyles overlooked the needs of Black women, and Peters was uncertain if she would be reprimanded or if her professionalism would be questioned. For Peters, a hair pick symbolizes her role in getting the Army to recognize the needs of Black service members.
American Veteran: Keep It Close tells the stories of U.S. military veterans and the special objects they carried during deployment and beyond. These objects, ranging from a pebble to a vial of lip gloss, have provided everyday comfort and hope to the veterans — and offer civilians a window into the veteran experience. Although the stories are unique to the individual veterans and their military service, the concept of mementos and the emotions they can generate are universal.
Join our “Keep It Close” social media campaign by sharing a photo or describing an object that has significance to your experience as a veteran. Civilians: post an object, person, or place that makes you understand what veterans experience or have experienced. Add the hashtag #AmericanVeteranPBS to join the campaign.
Thank you to Analog Devices for supporting American Veteran: Keep It Close. You can learn more at analog.com/en/applications/markets/aerospace-and-defense-pavilion-home.html
// Subscribe to PBS Voices so you never miss an episode! bit.ly/PBSVoices
Watch the four-part broadcast “American Veteran” on pbs.org or the PBS video app, and listen to the podcast “American Veteran: Unforgettable Stories” wherever you get your podcasts.
pbs.org/wgbh/american-veteran
PBS Member Stations rely on viewers like you. To support your local station, go to: pbs.org/wgbh/american-veteran
Keep up with PBS Digital Studios
Facebook: facebook.com/PBSDigitalStudios
Twitter: twitter.com/pbsds
Instagram: instagram.com/pbsds
#veterans #military #AmericanVeteranPBS
