StoryCorps

Claudia Anton, with her father, Roger Bessey, and sister, Diana Keough, at their home in 1978. After being diagnosed with AIDS in 1988, Bessey died in 1990. Courtesy of Diana Keough hide caption

Carol Miller, 68, and Marge Klindera, 79, are here to help — and have been for many years now. "People say, 'You mean you've given up Thanksgiving for all these years?' " Miller remarks. "And I never feel like I've ever given anything up." StoryCorps hide caption

Kara Masteller sits with her grandfather, James Kennicott, in a car in the parking lot of an Applebee's in Waterloo, Iowa. StoryCorps hide caption

Teresa Valko and her mother, Evelyn Wilson, in 2011. Courtesy of Teresa Valko hide caption

Robert Romo and his uncle, Barry Romo. Courtesy of Beverly Mendoza (left) and Barry Romo (right) hide caption

The body of Air Force Sgt. Leonard Matlovich is buried at Congressional Cemetery on July 2, 1988. Matlovich, recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart in Vietnam, became a gay rights figure during his five-year battle against the Air Force, which discharged him in 1975 for homosexuality. In 1980 Matlovich settled with the Air Force and received an honorable discharge. Ira Schwartz /AP hide caption

The Fennell family, in a photograph taken in 1999, several years after their kidnapping — posing with the very car they were kidnapped in. Courtesy of Janette Fennell hide caption

Erik and Jenna, in the classroom. "My advice to you is be brave," Erik tells her. StoryCorps hide caption

An oral history project called The Great Thanksgiving Listen encourages people to record interviews with loved ones over Thanksgiving weekend. Courtesy of StoryCorps hide caption

Marilynn Hillerman with her daughter, Andrea Crook, on a visit with StoryCorps. StoryCorps hide caption

The aircraft hijacked by George Giffe, in Jacksonville, Fla., shortly after the hijacking occurred on Oct. 4, 1971. Courtesy of Andy Downs hide caption

Noramay Cadena, with Chassitty at Cadena's first graduation from MIT in 2003. Courtesy of the Cardena family hide caption

Elliott, who is a retired associate professor of counselor education, during her recent visit to StoryCorps. StoryCorps hide caption

Feliciano stands at the gravesite of his wife, Rosa. "She's buried here," he says. "So Green-Wood Cemetery is ground zero for me." Courtesy of Isaac Feliciano hide caption

When he came back from Afghanistan, Army Pfc. Brian Orolin was eager to return to his life as a father and husband. But he had trouble holding on to a sense of purpose, his wife says. StoryCorps hide caption