American Homefront Project

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The American Homefront Project is reporting on military life and veterans issues. We're visiting bases to chronicle how American troops are working and living. We're meeting military families. We're talking with veterans -- in their homes, on their jobs, at school, at VA hospitals -- to learn about the challenges they face.

Support for the American Homefront Project comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, as part of CPB's ongoing effort to expand coverage of local, regional, and national issues. Additional support comes from our partner public radio stations -- North Carolina Public Radio-WUNC, Texas Public Radio, KPBS-San Diego, St. Louis Public Radio, and WSHU-Fairfield, Conn.

Series

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2022 American Veteran 
4 Pieces

In commemoration of Veteran’s Day, the American Homefront Project collaborated with the PBS documentary series "American Veteran" to profile men and women who have served in the U.S. military.

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American Veteran 2021 
5 Pieces

In commemoration of Veteran’s Day 2021, the American Homefront Project collaborated with the PBS documentary series "American Veteran" to profile men and women who have served in the U.S. military.

Pieces

In hot real estate markets, buyers using VA mortgages can have a hard time competing for homes
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Real estate agent Leslie Alford said the housing market near Ft. Riley, Kansas has been "crazy" this year,” with “a whole lot less houses for sale, a whole lot more competition for them, and higher prices.”, Credit: Courtesy Leslie Alford
Troops and veterans sometimes are hurt by misconceptions about VA mortgages, or they encounter sellers who don't want their home to go through a VA...

Bought by WRFA-LP, Texas Public Radio, KRPS, and KUT


  • Added: Oct 19, 2021
  • Length: 03:34
  • Purchases: 4
American Veteran: She joined the Army to learn to cook. She ended up a prisoner of war
From: American Homefront Project
Series: American Veteran 2021
Caption: Specialist Shoshana Johnson, veteran of the U.S. Army, Credit: Insignia Films
Shoshana Johnson was the first Black female prisoner of war in American history. The trauma of that experience has stayed with her for years.

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, KPBS, KGOU, RadioStPete Florida, KBBI Alaska and more


  • Added: Oct 17, 2021
  • Length: 04:00
  • Purchases: 12
American Veteran: How 'The Reaper' made peace with the aftermath of war
From: American Homefront Project
Series: American Veteran 2021
Caption: Army veteran Nick Irving., Credit: Ben Bloodwell
Nick Irving earned a reputation as one of the deadliest Army Rangers in history. But civilian life was far less straightforward.

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, KGOU, North Country Public Radio, KPBS, KBBI Alaska and more


  • Added: Oct 17, 2021
  • Length: 04:00
  • Purchases: 10
American Veteran: From eager recruit to conscientious objector
From: American Homefront Project
Series: American Veteran 2021
Caption: Private First Class Clifton Hicks, veteran of the U.S. Army., Credit: Amanda Lalezarian
After joining the Army in response to the 9/11 attacks, Clifton Hicks found the reality of war was nothing like the movies he’d grown up watching.

Bought by KPBS, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, RadioStPete Florida, KBBI Alaska, KUT and more


  • Added: Oct 17, 2021
  • Length: 04:00
  • Purchases: 8
American Veteran: 'So different than what we thought it would be'
From: American Homefront Project
Series: American Veteran 2021
Caption: 1st Lieutenant Edie Meeks, veteran of the U.S. Army., Credit: Insignia Films
Serving as a nurse in Vietnam, Edie Meeks struggled to balance compassionate care for her patients with the anger she felt about the war.

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, KGOU, RadioStPete Florida, KBBI Alaska, KUT and more


  • Added: Oct 17, 2021
  • Length: 04:00
  • Purchases: 8
American Veteran: His mom hoped he'd patrol Coney Island. Instead, he was a witness to history.
From: American Homefront Project
Series: American Veteran 2021
Caption: Frank DeVita, veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, holds a picture of himself in uniform when he served in World War II., Credit: Amanda Lalezarian
70 years after he worked a landing craft off the coast of France on D-Day, the memories of World War II still haunt Frank DeVita.

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, KGOU, RadioStPete Florida, KBBI Alaska, KCNP and more


  • Added: Oct 17, 2021
  • Length: 04:00
  • Purchases: 8
'I feel like we’re punished': Military spouses face employment barriers when their family relocates
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: In an August ceremony, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signs a law that makes it easier for military spouses to get professional licenses. The bill signing ceremony took place at Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut., Credit: Office of Gov. Ned Lamont
Spouses who work in professions that require state licenses often hit roadblocks when they move to a new state. A few states are trying to streamli...

Bought by KUT and North Country Public Radio


  • Added: Oct 11, 2021
  • Length: 03:24
  • Purchases: 2
A new survey found isolation and frequent moves are harming military teens' mental health
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: 17-year-old Matthew Oh, whose father is in Army intelligence, has moved eight times. He said his family's latest move to South Korea was "a very dark time.", Credit: Sarah Oh
The study of military dependents found more than 40 percent reported low mental well-being, often because of separations and a lack of connections ...

Bought by KPBS, North Country Public Radio, Texas Public Radio, KCUR, KPCC and more


  • Added: Oct 07, 2021
  • Length: 03:54
  • Purchases: 6
The process of replacing Confederate names on military bases has begun, but likely will take years
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: At a Sept. 14 virtual town hall meeting, Fort Bragg Curator and Archeologist Linda Carnes-McNaughton, Retired Major General Rodney Anderson, and Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Scott Pence listen to comments from citizens about possible new names for the ba, Credit: City of Fayetteville, N.C. via Facebook Live
A federal commission is soliciting ideas to rename Fort Bragg, Fort Hood, Fort Rucker, Fort Lee, and several other military posts named for Confede...

Bought by KRPS, WRFA-LP, KPBS, and Texas Public Radio


  • Added: Oct 01, 2021
  • Length: 03:41
  • Purchases: 4
'Little comments, outright inappropriateness': Why minority military families may feel unwelcome off-base
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Karockas Watkins of the Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce talks with the local board and staff of BancorpSouth in Hunstville, Alabama in 2020. Watkins heads the chamber's task force on diversity, equity. and inclusion., Credit: Courtesy Karockas Watkins
A survey found widespread concern from Black, Latino, and Asian military families about inequality in cities where bases are located.

Bought by North Country Public Radio, WRFA-LP, KJZZ, KPBS, and Texas Public Radio


  • Added: Sep 27, 2021
  • Length: 03:30
  • Purchases: 5

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People who work with American Homefront Project

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Dave DeWitt
Reporter/Producer, WUNC
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Adam Hochberg (Admin)
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Brent Wolfe
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KPBS News
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KPCC BoardOperators
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Shahla Farzan
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Jonathan Ahl
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Dan Katz