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

The Pentagon wants to root out extremism in the military, but nobody knows how common it is
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin talks with Army Maj. Gen. William J. Walker of District of Columbia National Guard outside the U.S. Capitol Jan. 29., Credit: Erica Jaros / U.S. Army National Guard
Pentagon leaders were concerned about extremism in the military even before the Jan. 6 insurrection. But new Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he...

Bought by Texas Public Radio, KPCC, and KMXT


  • Added: Feb 15, 2021
  • Length: 03:51
  • Purchases: 3
Despite Biden's order, transgender recruits still wait to join the military
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: President Biden signs a Jan. 25 order repealing the military transgender ban, as Vice President Harris, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mark Milley (left), and Defense Secretary Llyod Austin watch., Credit: Adam Schultz / White House photo
Though President Biden signed an executive order allowing transgender people to serve in the military, would-be recruits are waiting for the Pentag...

Bought by North Country Public Radio, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Texas Public Radio, and KPCC


  • Added: Feb 08, 2021
  • Length: 03:40
  • Purchases: 4
Congress is paying more attention to veteran suicide, but progress is slow
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Kristen Christy poses with her husband Don in a 2005 photo. Don, an Air Force lieutenant colonel, died by suicide in 2008., Credit: Kristen Christy
New federal laws seek to improve mental health care for veterans and their families. But advocates say it will take time for local communities to f...

Bought by KPCC, KPBS, North Country Public Radio, Texas Public Radio, and KMXT


  • Added: Jan 25, 2021
  • Length: 03:30
  • Purchases: 5
A report finds thousands of veterans had VA claims improperly denied during the pandemic
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Veteran Marc Session points to some of his Navy mementos on display in his Chula Vista, California home., Credit: Steve Walsh / American Homefront
A VA Inspector General's report has found that the agency improperly denied benefits to thousands of veterans who couldn't see a doctor.

Bought by Texas Public Radio, KMXT, and KPCC


  • Added: Jan 12, 2021
  • Length: 03:28
  • Purchases: 3
A lack of timely and accurate data is hampering efforts to prevent veteran suicide
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Curley Bonds, the Chief Medical Officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, joins other state and county officials at a 2019 Suicide Prevention Month event., Credit: Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Some states and cities are trying to improve the quality of data on veteran suicide, which is often incomplete and years old.

Bought by Texas Public Radio, KPBS, and KMXT


  • Added: Dec 31, 2020
  • Length: 03:29
  • Purchases: 3
It was just 30 units, but an East L.A. apartment fire underscores the veteran housing crisis
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Manuel Bernal, president of East LA Community Corporation, stands in front of what remains of the Nuevo Amanecer complex, which had 30 units for homeless veterans., Credit: Robert Garrova / American Homefront
Some of Los Angeles County's 3900 homeless veterans had been lined up to move into the complex under construction. After the fire, many will remain...

Bought by KPBS, Colorado Public Radio, and WUSF


  • Added: Dec 14, 2020
  • Length: 03:20
  • Purchases: 3
National Native American Veterans Memorial celebrates a complicated tradition of service
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: The National Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. opened in November. The monument incorporates water for sacred ceremonies, benches, and lances where visitors can tie cloths for prayers and healing., Credit: Ron Cogswell / Flickr
Native Americans join the military at a high rate, but some struggle with the military's role in displacing and subjugating Indigenous people throu...

Bought by KMXT, Texas Public Radio, WUSF, North Country Public Radio, and KRZA


  • Added: Dec 04, 2020
  • Length: 03:31
  • Purchases: 5
Tragedies at Fort Hood have led the Army to rethink its response when soldiers go missing
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Demonstrators gather in San Antonio in July, shortly after Vanessa Guillen's body was found near Fort Hood., Credit: Jolene Almendarez / American Homefront
Advocates say the Army is too quick to write off soldiers as deserters when they don't show up for duty. That can delay searches when a service mem...

Bought by WAMC Northeast Public Radio, KPCC, Colorado Public Radio, Texas Public Radio, and WUSF


  • Added: Nov 19, 2020
  • Length: 03:45
  • Purchases: 5
A 95-year-old veteran remembers fighting WWII in the Pacific - and racism at home
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: 95-year-old World War II veteran Luther Hendricks poses with some of his military honors. He was a member of the Montford Point Marines, a group of African-American troops who trained at a segregated camp in North Carolina., Credit: Hendricks family
President Roosevelt opened all branches of the military to Black troops in 1941, but for African-American service members like Luther Hendricks, ra...

Bought by WUSF, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio, KPBS, Texas Public Radio and more


  • Added: Nov 09, 2020
  • Length: 03:41
  • Purchases: 6
Slowly and cautiously, the VA is reopening its medical clinics
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Medical personnel care for a patient in the parking garage of the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa. Much of the emergency department has been relocated outside., Credit: Ed Drohan / James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital
Medical facilities run by the Department of Veterans Affairs are reopening at a slower pace than many civilian health systems. But the VA has recen...

Bought by Colorado Public Radio, KPBS, and Texas Public Radio


  • Added: Oct 26, 2020
  • Length: 03:21
  • Purchases: 3

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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