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 A Four Part Series from TTBOOK! |
COMING HOME FROM IRAQ
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Program 09-04-26-A |
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"Let me say this as plainly as I can" President Obama said recently, "By August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end." In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, coming home from Iraq. Obama's plan will bring home some 150,000 troops. But what are they coming home to? Their divorce rate is triple the national average. Alcoholism, four times the average. PTSD. Unemployment. Suicide. And a nation weary of the war they fought. They're coming home, are we ready for them?
SEGMENT 1:
Journalist Jim Sheeler is the author of "Final Salute." The book is about Marine Casualty Notification Officer Major Steve Beck and the families affected by his devastating news. Sheeler tells Anne Strainchamps about the next-of-kin notification process and what he does to try to help families of fallen Marines. Also, Iraq war veteran John McCary offers his essay called "The Fallen," part of the National Endowment for the Arts project, Operation Homecoming.
SEGMENT 2:
Tyler Boudreau is a 12 year veteran of the Marine Corps who ultimately resigned his commission due to reservations over the legitimacy of the Iraq war. His book is "Packing Inferno: The Unmaking of a Marine." He tells Anne Strainchamps that while he always had doubts, he did his duty, and doesn't regret his Marine service. Also, Gary Mitchell is a Vietnam vet who's struggled with PTSD for some 40 years. He was a sniper and assigned to carry out planned assassinations. His book is "A Sniper's Journey: The Truth about the Man behind the Rifle." He reads from his book and talks with Jim Fleming about his experiences and their effects on the rest of his life.
SEGMENT 3:
Sargent First Class Toby Nunn served two tours of duty in Iraq. He now works for the nonprofit organization Soldiers' Angels which supports veterans and deployed military personnel and their families. Sgt. Nunn tells Steve Paulson what kind of work he does now and why.
CD copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 09-04-26-A.
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Books & CDs:
| Tyler Boudreau, Packing Inferno: The Unmaking of a Marine (Feral House Publishing) | |
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Gary Mitchell with Michael Hirsh, A Sniper’s Journey: The Truth About the Man Behind the Rifle (NAL Caliber Press) |
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| Jim Sheeler, Final Salute: A Story of Unfinished Lives (The Penguin Press) | |
| Toby Nunn, Northern Exposure (Author Press) |  |
Websites:
- READING
Jon McCary’s piece “The Fallen” was read by Jon McCary. Used by permission of the artist and the National Endowment for the Arts’ Operation Homecoming Initiative. For more information (including a free download of the book “Operation Homecoming Guide for Writers:”
http://www.arts.gov/national/homecoming/guide.html
The music is original for this piece and by Jess Atkins.
http://www.jessatkins.com/ - For more information on Soldiers’ Angels
(including where YOU can help):
http://soldiersangels.org/ - Toby Nunn’s personal website and blog:
http://www.tobynunn.com/
Music:
- “Taps” by The US Army Ceremonial Band on their CD “A Patriotic Salute to the Military Family” on Cocker and McCree Inc. Music.
- “Um, Circles And Squares” by Dosh on their CD “The Lost Take” on Anticon Records.
- “2080” by Yeasayer on their CD “All Hour Cymbals” on We Are Free Records.
- “Atoms for Peace” by Thom Yorke on his CD “The Eraser” on XI Recordings.
- “Hands” by Four Tets on their CD “Rounds” on Domino Records.
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Distribution dates: week of 04/26/2009
- hour 1 |
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