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 limbo for years: The U.S. military recruited non-citizens, but hasn't allowed them to serve
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Seojun Lee stands outside an Army recruiting station near Phoenix. Lee signed up for the Army more than four years ago, but hasn't been allowed to serve., Credit: Josie Huang / American Homefront
The MAVNI program allowed non-U.S. citizens to enlist in the armed services if they had foreign language skills or other special expertise. But the...

Bought by KPBS, Texas Public Radio, KRZA, WUSF, Colorado Public Radio and more


  • Added: Jan 27, 2020
  • Length: 03:42
  • Purchases: 6
Far away from Washington, impeachment means little to U.S. troops providing military aid to Ukraine
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: American soldiers from the Wisconsin National Guard play blues songs for a contingent of soldiers from Poland and Lithuania who are also helping train Ukraine's military., Credit: Levi Bridges / American Homefront
While the impeachment case centers on President Trump's handling of military aid to Ukraine, U.S. troops deployed in Ukraine say their mission hasn...

Bought by WUSF, KRZA, North Country Public Radio, Texas Public Radio, KPBS and more


  • Added: Jan 16, 2020
  • Length: 03:49
  • Purchases: 6
The Army says its new marketing campaign aims to 'surprise our audience'
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Recruit Crystal Townsend, 35, said the Army provided a more diverse range of career options than other military branches. She hopes to go into military intelligence., Credit: Dan Boyce / American Homefront
The campaign, which launched in November, emphasizes Army careers in technology, medicine, and other non-combat jobs.

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


  • Added: Jan 13, 2020
  • Length: 03:42
  • Purchases: 5
The Pentagon says wildfires, driven by climate change, are a growing national security threat
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: A fire fighter monitors a controlled burn Sept. 18, 2019 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The burn was intended to reduce the risk of wildfires., Credit: Aubree Milks / U.S. Air Force
A 2019 Department of Defense report concluded that the effects of a changing climate, including wildfires, threaten dozens of military bases.

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


  • Added: Jan 06, 2020
  • Length: 03:31
  • Purchases: 4
To help keep older veterans in their homes, the VA is pairing them with volunteer companions
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: World War II veteran Gerry Bennett, 92, plays cards with Gloria Estrello, a volunteer with the Choose Home Senior Corps program., Credit: Carson Frame/American Homefront
The VA pilot program places federally-backed volunteers in the homes of veterans to help with cooking, cleaning and other low-skill tasks.

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


  • Added: Dec 30, 2019
  • Length: 03:24
  • Purchases: 4
A new law allows troops to seek compensation for malpractice by military doctors
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Congresswoman Jackie Speier, left, meets with Army Sergeant Richard Stayskal, center, his wife, Megan, and his attorney, Natalie Khawam, in Speier’s Washington office before an April 2019 subcommittee hearing on the Feres Doctrine., Credit: U.S. House of Representatives
Congress has established an administrative process for service members to pursue malpractice claims. But they still can't sue in civilian court.

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


  • Added: Dec 26, 2019
  • Length: 03:49
  • Purchases: 3
The VA's new smoking ban is sparking complaints from some veterans and employees
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Air Force veteran Ronald West, 70, said he leaves his hospital room several times a day to smoke outside the Tampa VA property., Credit: Stephanie Colombini/American Homefront
The VA has eliminated the designated smoking areas at its hospitals, clinics, and other buildings. It's a difficult transition for some patients, v...

Bought by KPBS and Colorado Public Radio


  • Added: Dec 23, 2019
  • Length: 03:33
  • Purchases: 2
A holiday harmonica concert is part of the therapy for veterans with lung disease
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Veteran David Wheaton said he's noticed his COPD has improved since he began playing the harmonica. He said he used to be able to exercise for only a few minutes, but now can work out longer., Credit: Stephanie Colombini/American Homefront
Some Florida veterans are putting on a holiday performance at their local VA, but not just to spread cheer. It’s part of a program that uses harmon...

Bought by KPCC, KPBS, Colorado Public Radio, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, and Texas Public Radio


  • Added: Dec 18, 2019
  • Length: 03:44
  • Purchases: 5
More than shows: Today's USO is working to bridge the divide between service members and civilians
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Comedian Paula Poundstone performs at a USO show in Washington, D.C. , Credit: Katie Lange / U.S. Department of Defense
For an organization that's still strongly associated with entertainers of the past, like Bob Hope, it's a constant challenge to stay relevant to to...

Bought by KPBS, North Country Public Radio, WUSF, Texas Public Radio, and Colorado Public Radio


  • Added: Dec 12, 2019
  • Length: 03:54
  • Purchases: 5
The VA is teaching intimacy skills to veterans to try to save their marriages
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: John and Barbara Browning attended a Warrior to Soul Mate session to improve their marriage in light of the John’s PTSD symptoms and other health challenges. 'He never told me what he went through in Vietnam until he went to pieces,' Barbara said., Credit: Carson Frame/American Homefront
The Department of Veterans Affairs is offering couples retreats to help former service members communicate with their spouses.

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


  • Added: Dec 09, 2019
  • Length: 03:44
  • 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