The Veterans' Voices Project is a combined effort by Wright State University’s Veteran and Military Center and local NPR station WYSO. Wright State Veteran students record video interviews of Veterans ranging from World War II to the current conflicts. These interviews are then stored in both The Library of Congress and Wright State University archives. All of the interviews are available for viewing at the Library of Congress and Wright State archives. Some of these interviews will be viewable on The Library of Congress website.
Another aspect to this project is our partnership with the local NPR affiliate WYSO. WYSO will be airing pieces for the national project known as “Veterans Coming Home.” These pieces will be about transitions and struggles that Veterans in the Dayton area have faced and overcome.
This project is conducted by Veterans, for Veterans. Many military service members have never told their story, this is their chance to do it. Recording and archiving these stories preserves them for future generations.
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Chase Abbey Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
Chase L. Abbey and David Berry
Chase L. Abbey (DOB: February 23, 1996) enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard in June 2014. He is a member of the 269th Combat Communications Unit. He was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, Keesler Air Force Base, and Springfield Air National Guard Base. Abbey is working toward his degree in Mechanical Engineering at Wright State University.
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John Ahlborn Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
John Ahlborn and Jeremy L. Tkach
John Ahlborn (DOB: December 19, 1933) was commissioned into the United States Air Force in 1955. Mr. Ahlborn served with the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron during the Vietnam War. During his career Mr. Ahlborn was awarded with the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He also served at the Pentagon and Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Mr. Ahlborn retired from the Air Force in 1981 with the rank of Colonel.
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Thomas Alesi Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
Thomas Alesi Sr. and David Berry
Thomas Alesi (DOB: November 8, 1938) enlisted in the United States Navy in October 1958. Mr. Alesi served aboard the U.S.S. Topeka and the U.S.S. Rowan assisting with atomic bomb testing during the Cold War. Mr. Alesi left the Navy in 1962 with the rank of Seaman 3rd Class.
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Francis J. Alfter Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
Francis J. Alfter and David Morse
Francis J. Alfter (DOB: February 26, 1948) was drafted into the United States Air Force in 1969. He served in both the Vietnam War and the Kosovo War. Alfter was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. He was discharged as a Colonel in 2002.
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Stephen Ananian Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
Stephen C. Ananian and Jennifer Seavey
Stephen C. Ananian (DOB: December 25, 1922) was commissioned in the United States Army Air Force in 1943. He served in England and took part in air operations in Europe, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He was discharged in 1945 and obtained the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
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James Anderson Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
James Anderson and David Morse
James Anderson (DOB: May 23, 1948) enlisted in the United States Air Force in August 1967. Mr. Anderson served with military airlift command in Taiwan, Vietnam and Japan during the Vietnam War and later in Germany. Mr. Anderson retired from the Air Force in 1988 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant.
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Jonathan Andrews Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
Jonathan Andrews and David Morse
Jonathan Andrews (DOB: March 21, 1948) enlisted in the United States Air Force in February 1969. Mr. Andrews served with the 346th Tactical Airlift Squad, the 21st Tactical Airlift Squad, the 20th Military Airlift Squad and the 3rd Military Airlift Squad during the Vietnam War, the Panama Invasion and Desert Shield/Storm. Mr. Andrews retired from the Air Force in 1992 having achieved the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.
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Kellan Arick Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
Kellan T. Arick and David Berry
Kellan T. Arick (DOB: October 7, 1989) enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2011. He served in the 323 TRS, the 762 TRS and the 55th Fighter Wing. He was discharged as a Senior Airman (SRA, E-4).
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Larry Bade Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
Larry Bade, Jeremy L. Tkach, and Rob Drum
Larry Bade (DOB: May 2, 1965) enlisted in the United States Air Force in February 1984. He served as part of Air Force Security Forces with the 379th Bomb Wing, the 487th Missile Wing, 4th Tactical Fighter Wing and 1st Tactical Fighter Wing. He served in many locations including Italy, Korea and the Middle East during Operation Just Cause, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. He retired from the Air Force in January 2011 with the rank of E-7 Master Sergeant.
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John Baenen Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
John Baenen and Ericka Carter
John Baenen (DOB: September 18, 1958) enlisted in the United States Army in August 1976. Mr. Baenen served at Enewetak Atoll where he was involved in the cleanup of nuclear testing sites. Mr. Baenen left military service in 1979 with the rank of E-4.
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Anthony Barga Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
Anthony Barga, Adrian Hill, and Jeffrey D. Briggs
Anthony Barga (DOB: December 24, 1924) served in the Army with the 176th Field Artillery Battalion under General George Patton. He was drafted on November 10, 1943. Barga was stationed at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, Ft. Bragg in North Carolina, Camp Butner in North Carolina, Nuremburg, Germany, and several other locations in England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany during World War II. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, and the United States World War II Victory Medal. Barga was discharged as a Private First Class (PFC) on February 26, 1946.
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Cassie Barlow Interview for Veterans' Voices Project
Cassie Barlow and Ericka Carter
Cassie Barlow (DOB: December 10, 1965) was commissioned into the United States Air Force in November 1988. She began studying at Georgetown University on ROTC scholarship eventually earning a Doctorate in Psychology. Ms. Barlow served during Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. She served at Wright Patterson Air Force base and the Pentagon before retiring in 2014 having achieved the rank of colonel.
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'Battle Buddies' Provide Support, Comradery During and After Deployment
Matt Bauer
Our Veterans’ Voices series continues with Air Force veterans Matt Bauer of Vandalia and Jeff McCannon of Columbus. Matt and Jeff are battle buddies. They’ve been deployed three times and it’s their shared experiences and memories – both good and bad - while on those multiple tours of service that bonds them today.
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Air Force Museum a Local Touchstone for Veterans
Matt Bauer and Will Davis
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world, and for many local men and women, it holds an enduring significance.
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Looking for Answers about Suicide and Veterans
Matt Bauer and Will Davis
The suicide rate among veterans has nearly doubled since 2005, and this has prompted the military to conduct a series of decade-long studies to find out why. But more information is needed since early findings have produced contradictory results. Answers will not come easy. The Veterans' Voice series continues with Air Force veteran, and Wright State University student Matt Bauer of Vandalia, and Air Force veteran George Denillo, who remember their friend, and fellow officer, Sean.
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Two Generations of Air Force Veterans Reflect on Honor Flight
Matt Bauer and Will Davis
The Veterans Voices series continues with the Honor Flight Network, a non-profit organization that celebrates America's veterans by transporting them to Washington D.C. to visit their memorials. Air Force veteran, and Wright State student Matt Bauer of Vandalia spoke to his grandfather, Air Force veteran Norbert Bauer about his recent Honor Flight trip, and his military service.
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American and Russian-born Veterans Share Similarities, Differences in Military Experience
David Berry
The American military is very diverse, and it’s where many men and women first learn how to build relationships with people from different cultures. Army veteran and Wright State University student David Berry of Springfield was raised in America and Navy veteran Pyotr Dobrotvorsky of Yellow Springs was raised in Russia.
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Veterans Find Solace, Common Ground on the Open Road
David Berry
Recent scientific studies show there are significant mental and physical health benefits to motorcycling. But many military veterans already know the riding motorcycles is good therapy. Today, our Veterans’ Voices series concludes with Army veteran and Wright State student David Berry of Springfield and Marine Corp veteran Steve Ratcliffe of Dayton, who share a love for the open road.
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David Berry Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
David Berry and David Morse
David Berry (DOB: March 22, 1991) enlisted in the United States Army in 2010. He served in Germany and in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was a member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Berry was discharged in 2014 having attained the rank of E4.
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Richard Bidlack Interview Veterans' Voices Project
Richard C. Bidlack, David Berry, and Jeniffer Seavey
Richard Bidlack (DOB: June 4, 1934) was commissioned in the United States Air Force in 1953. He served in Iceland, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, and Norway. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and more. Bidlack was discharged as a Major in 1973.
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Ryan Blackburn Interview for Veterans' Voices Project
Ryan Blackburn and Ericka Carter
Ryan Blackburn (DOB: September 25, 1983) enlisted in the United States Air Force in August 2004. He was deployed twice to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and once to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Mr. Blackburn left the Air Force in 2010 having earned E-5 rank.
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Christine Margherite Black Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
Christine Margherite Black and David Morse
Christine Black (DOB: June 16, 1983) enlisted in the United States Army National Guard in 2004. She served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and OWD. She was stationed in Stead West Virginia, Tallil in Iraq, Fort Belvoir in Virginia, Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, and Camp Arifjan. Black was awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal Ribbon, and the Army Good Conduct Medal. She was discharged as an SSG-E-6 in 2013.
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Jay G. Blunt Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
Jay G. Blunt, Jeremy Dobbin, and Jeniffer Seavey
Jay G. Blunt (DOB: June 14, 1950) enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1969. He served in Vietnam, the Philippines, Korea, and Australia. He was awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. Blunt was discharged in 1987 after attaining the rank of Hospital Corpsman Second Class (HM2).
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Terry Bogan Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
Terry B. Bogan and David Berry
Terry B. Bogan (DOB: June 21, 1945) enlisted in the United States Army in 1965. He served at in Thailand, in Taipei, and in Taiwan. Bogan was awarded the Vietnam service medal with two bronze service stars. He was discharged in 1969 with the rank of Sp5.
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Lawrence Bogemann Interview for the Veterans' Voices Project
Lawrence L. Bogemann and David L. Morse
Lawrence Bogemann (DOB: May 19, 1939) joined the United States Air Force in April 1962 as a commissioned officer. He achieved the rank of Colonel. Weaver served during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the 92 Air Refueling Squadron, 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, and the 4950th Test Wing. He attended the Air Force Test Pilot School and the Defense Systems Management College. Bogemann received the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Legion of Merit. He retired from the Air Force in July 1989.
