Letters From the Front is a new musical compilation to honor Veterans, service members and military families. The music is based on letters sent by service members and loved ones from the American Revolution through the Golf War.
Michael Becker began his Air Force career as an explosives ordnance disposal technician. He would end his career as Command Chief for one of the largest bases in the Air Force - responsible for 46,000 military and civilian personnel and $51 billion in assets.
During the Battle of Khe Sahn, 6,000 Marines were surrounded by 20,000 North Vietnamese troops. Over the course of 77 days, 10,000 soldiers from both sides would lose their lives. Jess Brewer was there and shares his story.
Holidays can be particularly challenging for families subject to deployments. CMSgt Kelvin Hatcher joins us to discuss how military families can deal with the loneliness, stress financial strain and sensory overload.
Michael Reyka's father rarely spoke of the war. He was part of the 180th Infantry Regiment of 45th Division that relentlessly pursued the German Army north through France as was almost wiped out when they were surrounded at Fremifontaine. Michael retraced his father's journey and compiled the story in his book Stand of the Thunderbirds: 180th Infantry Regiment and the Battle of Fremifontaine.
Jennifer is the founder of the Pacific Atrocities Education project. We discuss WWII "Comfort Women", the notorious Japanese Unit 731 and other topics.
Assigned to work the Pentagon following the 9/11 attacks, Navy Chaplain Larry Cripps was forced to confront his own Vietnam Combat Trauma. His book "The Hope of War: A Chaplain's Journey to Abiding Faith, Enduring Hope and Love Under Fire" has been described as a "field manual for applying spirituality in practical ways".
Michael Durant was the pilot of Super 64, the second helicopter shot down during the Battle of Mogadishu. He was the sole survivor and spent 11 days in Somali captivity.
Base Camp for Veterans provides equine therapy for Veterans and their families.
Ryan McDermott led an infantry platoon that was the first to cross the Euphrates River during Operation Iraqi Freedom. "What surprised me most wasn’t the trauma of combat—it was the quiet collapse that came after.” Ryan wrote "Downriver" to help others who might be struggling.