Stories from people like you help this site grow. We've gathered a selection of some of the most interesting, poignant and provocative poems, essays, songs and memories that people have shared with us. Please feel free to share your thoughts on each piece, and go to the "Share Your Story" section to add your own.
An NPR-ProPublica investigation found that the Purple Heart is rarely given to soldiers with "mild traumatic brain injuries." The old cliché — If You're Not Bleeding, It's Not Serious &mdash still holds, with some military officials claiming that giving the Purple Heart for concussions would lessen its value. Watch the video to see how concussions and other brain injuries affect U.S. veterans and the struggle the face for recognition of their sacrifice. read more »
Since the Iraq war began, 17 soldiers from Fort Carson, CO have been charged with or convicted of murder, manslaughter or attempted murder committed at home in the United States, and 36 have committed suicide. In The Wounded Platoon, Frontline investigated a single Fort Carson platoon of infantrymen — the 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry — and found a group of young men changed by war and battling a range of psychiatric disorders that many blame for their violent and self-destructive behavior. read more »
Commemorating the five year anniversary of the Iraq war, this March 2008 podcast features the work of photographer Peter van Agtmael and the music of Six Degrees Records artist, Niyaz. read more »
Since the Iraq war began, 17 soldiers from Fort Carson, CO have been charged with or convicted of murder, manslaughter or attempted murder committed at home in the United States, and 36 have committed suicide. In The Wounded Platoon, Frontline investigated a single Fort Carson platoon of infantrymen — the 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry — and found a group of young men changed by war and battling a range of psychiatric disorders that many blame for their violent and self-destructive behavior. read more »
An NPR-ProPublica investigation found that the Purple Heart is rarely given to soldiers with "mild traumatic brain injuries." The old cliché — If You're Not Bleeding, It's Not Serious &mdash still holds, with some military officials claiming that giving the Purple Heart for concussions would lessen its value. Watch the video to see how concussions and other brain injuries affect U.S. veterans and the struggle the face for recognition of their sacrifice. read more »
Over the past five years, a group of senior citizens has made history by greeting over 900,000 American troops at a tiny airport in Bangor, Maine. read more »
I was the middle child of three and the only girl. Our dad had been a "lifer" in the Air Force and had flown B-25 bombers during WWII. My brother, Bobby was 17 months older and Billy was just 14... read more »
I just read a story in my local paper Sunday (1/31/10), The Press-Enterprise (pe.com) about Robert Simonsen. A Veitnam Veteran who has terminal cancer. He is a published author, two books, has a wonderful supportive wife, and has come to... read more »
I came home from Vietnam at the end of October, 1968 - thirteen months from arriving. It was like I was never gone for all those I left behind, the family house - same; the family - pretty much the... read more »
The Iraq conflict has been called "the women's war" in the media, but the women who have been deployed since its beginning have largely been unheard and unseen. We may all have different reasons for wanting to see the faces and hear the stories of women combat veterans. Regardless of one's perspective, these are faces we need to see and stories we need to know. read more »
Retired Army Staff Sgt. June Moss returned home from combat in Iraq in 2003. In this video from the Contra Costa Times, she recalls her experience. read more »
I was standing in line buying a soda in the movie lobby in San Diego. I was wearing a sweatshirt I thought I would never buy for myself -- a grey one with USMC in big, bold letters across the... read more »
Commemorating the five year anniversary of the Iraq war, this March 2008 podcast features the work of photographer Peter van Agtmael and the music of Six Degrees Records artist, Niyaz. read more »
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