Privacy Statement

Information we collect

We may collect information voluntarily provided through website forms and direct communications concerning plaque reservations, oral histories, biographies, volunteer service, partnerships, donations, and general inquiries. This may include names, contact information, relationship to a veteran, school or organization, participation role, scheduling or accessibility needs, and information needed to respond.

How information is used

Information is used to respond to requests; review plaque reservations, eligibility, biographies, oral histories, volunteer interests, and partnerships; coordinate interviews, training, permissions, scheduling, invoicing, and project activities; communicate with participants; preserve approved historical materials; maintain necessary records; and protect participants and project systems.

Submission is not permission to publish

Submitting a form, biography, photograph, document, or interview request does not authorize public use or guarantee publication, acceptance, eligibility, or placement on the Wall of Honor. Additional recording, publication, copyright, donation, family-source, student-participation, or other releases may be required before materials are made public.

Veteran stories and preservation

Approved original recordings and related photographs, biographies, transcripts, releases, and documentation may be transferred to and preserved by the Lakeside Historical Society. Archival materials may be governed by separate agreements, restrictions, and repository policies. Approved access copies may appear on the Wall of Honor website or its official YouTube channel.

Children and students

Student interviewers must be at least 16. Participants under 18 require parent or guardian permission and direct adult supervision. The project does not knowingly request personal information from children under 13 through general website forms. A parent or guardian may contact us to request removal.

Sensitive information

Do not submit unredacted discharge papers, Social Security numbers, full birth dates, medical records, financial account information, passwords, original photographs, classified information, or other sensitive records through general website forms or ordinary email. If documentation is required after preliminary review, project representatives will provide instructions for securely submitting a redacted copy or arranging for the document to be reviewed in person. Do not mail documentation unless specifically instructed, and never send original records. Documentation submitted solely to verify military service, character of discharge, or other eligibility requirements will be reviewed only by designated project representatives. The organization will retain a limited verification record documenting the evidence reviewed and the basis for its decision. Any retained supporting document will be redacted to remove Social Security numbers, full birth dates, medical information, home addresses, and other information unrelated to eligibility. Unredacted copies and unnecessary personal information will be securely deleted or destroyed.

Sharing information

Information may be shared with authorized project representatives, participating schools or colleges, the Lakeside Historical Society, service providers, and partners when needed to administer the project, preserve approved materials, process payments, maintain the website, or fulfill a request. Information may also be disclosed when required by law, to protect legal rights or safety, or with appropriate permission. Eligibility documentation is not shared with schools, colleges, the public, or the Lakeside Historical Society. Access to that documentation is limited to designated project representatives and service providers necessary for secure transmission or storage.

WordPress, cookies, and external services

This website is hosted through WordPress.com. WordPress.com and related providers may collect technical information, cookies, or analytics data under their own policies and settings. The site may link to or embed content from YouTube, payment providers, maps, social media, or other websites. Those services operate under their own privacy policies.

Retention and security

Information is retained only as reasonably necessary for project operations, legal or financial records, historical preservation, dispute resolution, and applicable agreements. Eligibility records are maintained as restricted administrative records for the long-term stewardship of the memorial and will not be published or made publicly accessible. Military records or other materials offered for historical preservation will be handled separately under an appropriate donation or permission agreement and may be subject to additional access restrictions. Archival materials accepted for permanent preservation may be retained indefinitely under applicable agreements and repository policies. Reasonable safeguards are used, but no electronic system can be guaranteed completely secure.

Access, corrections, and removal

You may ask what personal information you provided, request a correction, withdraw from a pending activity, or request removal from the website. Some information may be retained for legal, financial, administrative, historical, or archival reasons. Donated archival materials remain subject to applicable agreements and repository policies.

Changes to this statement

This statement may be updated as the project, website, forms, partnerships, and public programs develop. The date above identifies the most recent revision.