Each year, two Southeast Missouri State University students receive $5,000 scholarships through the university’s partnership with Valor Partners Foundation.

Valor Partners Foundation, which will soon be the new name for the Heart of America Patriot Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides scholarships to spouses and children of deceased and 100% disabled veterans through a dollar-for-dollar match worth up to $25,000 with partnered universities.

Six World War II veterans took attendees of the Heart of America Patriot Foundation's event Wednesday night back in time in their own words.

"I'm proud of watching the Japanese surrender; that was the highlight of my career," said Ray Shockley, a WWII veteran.

They are the only ones who can tell their stories.