Veterans Voices is a collaboration between WYSO and Wright State University's Veteran and Military Center (VMC). The project was originally part of Veterans Coming Home, a national public media initiative funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and now receives funding from Ohio Humanities.
The series features stories of Miami Valley veterans who served in a variety of conflicts and branches of service and focuses on the veterans’ stories of re-entry into civilian life. The stories are reported by student veterans attending Wright State University trained in WYSO's Community Voices model. This unique veteran-to-veteran storytelling project is designed to let Miami Valley veterans describe their own experiences, in their own voices.
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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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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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Air Force Veterans Compare Race Relations in and out of the Military
David Morse
At its best, the military is a model of good race relations, since successful missions require trust and respect among service members. Our Veterans’ Voices series continues with Air Force veteran and Wright State University student David Morse of Riverside and Air Force veteran Mia Walthers of Huber Heights, who both saw less prejudice in the military than they did as civilians.
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A Veteran Reflects on Honor, Inclusion in the Era of Don't Ask Don't Tell
Jeremy L. Tkach
In the Air Force, there’s no higher enlisted level than what’s called E-9, and those who achieve E-9 are honored with their loved ones at a lavish ceremony. But for many LGBTQ service members and their partners, the military has not been inclusive.
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To Cope with PTSD, One Veteran Focuses on Passion for Outdoor Living, Entrepreneurship
Jeremy L. Tkach
Today on Veterans Voices we hear from a Beavercreek Air Force veteran, Jason Evatt. He’s the founder of a web store called Airborne Outfitters, which makes and sells camping supplies. Evatt’s business grew out of his determination to overcome PTSD.
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Building A Family In A Dual-Military Marriage
Loghan Young
When most people think of a military marriage, they imagine only one spouse in the service. But dual-military marriages, where both spouses are service members, are becoming more common in every branch of the military. Today, our Veterans’ Voices series continues with Army veterans and Wright State students Loghan and Joe Young of Huber Heights. The Youngs built their marriage on the unique experiences they shared in the armed forces.
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Woman Veterans Pursue Military Career Paths Beyond Gendered Stereotypes
Loghan Young
The role of women is expanding in the military, yet gender stereotypes remain. Today on Veterans’ Voices, we hear from Army veterans and Wright State students Loghan Young of Huber Heights and Ericka Carter of Dayton who pursued career paths in the military that defied expectations.
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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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Pride and Protest: A Veteran and An Activist Discuss the American Flag
Jeremy Dobbins and Will Davis
When President-elect Donald Trump visited Vandalia earlier this year, a young man named Tommy DiMassimo rushed the stage. He was arrested and sentenced to one year’s probation. This month, a Federal judge ended that probation early without objection from the Department of Justice. Tommy DiMassimo is an activist, and before the Trump incident, he participated in a march at Wright State University protesting racism and police brutality where he stood on an American flag. Many veterans were outraged. Marine Corp veteran and Wright State student Jeremy Dobbins of Springfield was there, and upset by the demonstration. Our Veterans’ Voices series continues with a conversation between Jeremy and Tommy, who despite their differences, agreed to talk about that contentious day.
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Two Generations of Marine Corps Veterans Discuss Race in the Military
Jeremy Dobbins and Will Davis
The Veterans’ Voices series continues with a cross-generational conversation about racism. For some recruits, the military is the first time they have to confront their own prejudices, and live and work with people different from themselves. Here’s Marine Corps veteran and Wright State student Jeremy Dobbins of Springfield, and Marine Corps and Vietnam veteran, Jay Blunt of Dayton.
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Veterans Gain Clarity, Control Over PTSD through Adventure Sport
Jeremy Dobbins and Will Davis
The Veterans’ Voices series concludes with a conversation about the therapeutic benefits of adventure sports. Marines Corp veteran and Wright State student Jeremy Dobbins of Springfield spoke to fellow Marines Corp veteran C. Michael Fairman about coping with PTSD, and climbing the world's tallest mountain.
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Veterans, War Correspondents Find Common Ground
Jeremy Dobbins and Will Davis
This story begins Season 3 of Veterans Voices’, stories about local military veterans produced by student veterans at Wright State University. Last year, NPR Veterans Correspondent Quil Lawrence visited Wright State to talk to students about his experiences as a war correspondent. He spoke to Marine Corps veteran, and Wright State student Jeremy Dobbins of Springfield about what they have in common.
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Air Force Veterans Discuss PTSD In The Vietnam, Post 9-11 Era
David L. Morse and Will Davis
The Veterans’ Voices series continues with a cross-generational conversation between a post-9/11 veteran and a Vietnam veteran. Wright State student and Air Force veteran David Morse of Riverside is studying social work, and he talked to his mentor, Air Force veteran and social worker Greg Meriwether about counseling Vietnam veterans, and how post-traumatic stress disorder has changed since then.
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Best Friends Forever: Two Veterans Find Strength in Service
Jeniffer Seavey and Will Davis
Jeniffer and Amanda met in the Army. Both experienced set backs then, but today they find strength in their friendship and service. Our Veterans Voices' series continues with Army veteran and Wright State student, Jeniffer Seavey of New Carlisle, and her BFF, Army veteran Amanda Murphy.
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Reflecting on Military Service Without Combat
Cody Stevens and Will Davis
On this Veterans' Voices, we hear from two veterans who never saw combat. Even though that’s the case for most men and women who serve in the military, Cody Stevens of Xenia and Cole Hamilton of Dayton have mixed feelings about not getting to deploy. Cole is an Army veteran and Cody is a Marine Corps veteran. Both are Wright State students.
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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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A WWII Veteran Shares his Stories in Person, via Social Media
Jeremy Dobbins and Will Davis
Jim "Pee Wee" Martin, an World War II Army Veteran, parachuted into Normandy on the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion at the age of 93. Jim was in the now famous 506th parachute infantry regiment featured in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. He was nicknamed “Pee Wee” because he was the lightest man in the unit. At the end of the war, Jim returned to Xenia to build a house, raise a family, and live a modest life. But when Jim got online and connected with social media, his popularity reached celebrity status.
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Dayton Codebreaker Highlights Pride in Contribution to WWII
Jeremy Dobbins and Will Davis
For some who serve in the military, their work is top secret, and the contribution they make to national security may never be publicly known. The WYSO Veterans' Voices series tells the story of Army veteran John Harshman who, unbeknownst to him, helped crack the code of the German Enigma machines. Those machines were used to encrypt secret messages during World War II.
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Finding Direction through Deployment
Jeremy Dobbins and Will Davis
Veteran Harold Wright found direction in life as a result of his military service. During the Korean War, Harold was stationed in Japan. During his time there, Harold fell in love with the language and culture. Today, Wright is an award-winning poet and translator of the Japanese language.
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Parenting During Deployment
Jeremy Dobbins and Will Davis
One of most challenging times for young children in military families is the deployment of a parent. The Veterans' Voices series examines a doctor’s separation from her newborn daughter, and the unique challenges she faced as a mother in the military.
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Post 9-11 Veterans Reflect on their Call To Service
Jeremy Dobbins and Will Davis
Many veterans joined the military in the days and years following September 11, 2001. Several are returning to civilian life. For some it’s an easy transition. For others, it’s far more complicated.
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Presidential Ceremonial Guards Members Serve Prestigious, Somber Occasions
Jeremy Dobbins and Will Davis
There’s a small group of statuesque men and women we always see at this country’s most prestigious military ceremonies. In the Navy, they’re called the Presidential Ceremonial Guard. This elite team is carefully chosen for their appearance and fortitude. Corey Yoder, Navy veteran, speaks about his experience with the Guard.
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VFWs Look to Attract Younger Veterans
Adrian Hill and Will Davis
Veterans of Foreign Wars, or more commonly known as VFWs, began in 1899, when veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection founded local groups to foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. Today, there are over 6,700 VFWs worldwide. But like many fraternal organizations, the future of the VFW depends largely on its ability to attract younger members.
