People Who Serve and Support is a community-centered initiative honoring the lives shaped by military service and the families, educators, organizations, and communities who stand beside them. Originating through Pacific University’s Military & Veteran Services Outreach and continuing in collaboration with the Community, Military & Veteran Alliance, the initiative recognizes that service is shared and that community sustains it.
People Who Serve and Support began through Pacific University’s Military & Veteran Services Outreach as a framework for honoring service and strengthening community within higher education.
As the vision grew, it became clear that this work extended far beyond a single campus. Today, through collaboration with the Community, Military & Veteran Alliance, the initiative continues as a broader community platform for recognition, storytelling, education, and partnership.
Behind every service member and veteran are families, friends, educators, caregivers, and communities who walk that journey with them. Families serve as well—they simply serve without wearing the uniform. People Who Serve and Support exists to recognize the full circle of service and strengthen the communities that sustain it.
Each focus area carries the same shared commitment: Honoring Service. Strengthening Community.
Serving Those Who Served—and Those Who Support Them.
Stories help illuminate the full circle of service. Through interviews, reflections, and community storytelling, the initiative uplifts voices that are often unseen or only partially understood.
Story categories may include:
People Who Serve and Support was conceived and developed by Denise Price-Giesbers, who serves as Director and Project Lead for the initiative. Denise developed the creative vision and personally completed the photography, visual and graphic design, interviews, biographical writing, profile development, and the design of both the in-person exhibit and digital presentation.
The initiative originated through Denise's work in Military & Veteran Services at Pacific University and provided opportunities for students to contribute through experiential learning. The project continues to grow through collaboration with CMV Alliance, expanding into a broader community platform for recognition, storytelling, education, and connection.
Denise Price-Giesbers
Director & Project Lead
Creative Direction • Photography • Visual & Graphic Design • Interviews • Biographical Writing & Profile Development • Exhibit & Digital Experience Design
Photography & Design: Priceless Creations
We gratefully recognize the contributions of the students whose experiential learning supported the development and presentation of the project.
