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, KCUR-Kansas City, and WSHU-Fairfield, Conn.

Series

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American Veteran 
5 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.

Pieces

More Vietnam vets now qualify for disability benefits, but it may be years before they see the money
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Vietnam Veteran Jim Scott, who now volunteers for the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, shared his story at the 2018 Bladder Cancer Think Tank. Scott attributes his disease to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam., Credit: Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
Veterans suffering from certain medical conditions became eligible for "presumptive" VA disability benefits last year. But the claims they're filin...

Bought by KPBS, KMXT, and KUT


  • Added: Jan 20, 2022
  • Length: 03:46
  • Purchases: 3
As COVID affects the VA medical staff, they're working longer hours and juggling new duties
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Medical staff stand outside the Durham, N.C. VA Medical Center. The doors lead to a separate area of the hospital that contains the COVID-19 testing clinic, which helps keep COVID patients away from the main clinics., Credit: Jay Price / American Homefront
At the VA - the nation's largest health care system- dozens of hospitals have had to implement "contingency standards" since the Omicron wave began.

Bought by KMXT, WRFA-LP, KRPS, Texas Public Radio, and KUT


  • Added: Jan 14, 2022
  • Length: 03:43
  • Purchases: 5
California opens a dedicated prison yard for veterans, hoping camaraderie helps rehabilitate them
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: More than 100 incarcerated veterans attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony in May 2021 for one of the nation's largest prison units dedicated exclusively to former service members. The veterans hub in Soledad, California is designed to provide unique rehabilita, Credit: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
California incarcerates nearly 7,000 military veterans scattered throughout 34 different prisons. Now, the state is planning to house them together...

Bought by KRPS, WRFA-LP, KPBS, KUT, Texas Public Radio and more


  • Added: Dec 20, 2021
  • Length: 03:45
  • Purchases: 6
Despite a defeat in Congress, advocates say they'll keep pushing for women to register for the draft
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Female Marine Corps recruits line up during boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. The first class of female recruits arrived at San Diego in 2021, ending almost a hundred years when the boot camp accepted only men., Credit: Steve Walsh / American Homefront
Congress dropped a controversial measure that would require women to register for the Selective Service. Men are required to register once they tur...

Bought by KPBS, WRFA-LP, KRPS, KMXT, North Country Public Radio and more


  • Added: Dec 14, 2021
  • Length: 03:32
  • Purchases: 7
National Guard troops are arresting migrants in Texas. Critics say they're not qualified to do it.
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: The governor of Texas is continuing to ramp up his controversial border security initiative. Texas National Guard troops have been deployed to Mexican border to help law enforcement agents arrest migrants who enter U.S. illegally. As Carson Frame report, Credit: Carson Frame / American Homefront
Texas Governor Greg Abbott continues to ramp up his controversial border security initiative. The state has sent troopers and National Guard member...

Bought by WRFA-LP, KUT, and Texas Public Radio


  • Added: Dec 09, 2021
  • Length: 03:55
  • Purchases: 3
For these veterans, poetry and prose help treat the moral injury of war
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: George Pettigrew leads a virtual Reader's Theater event for Kansas City veterans. Among those who read their original works Heather Smoot, who served in the Air Force., Credit: Missouri Humanities
In Kansas City, the Moral Injury Association of America sponsors a writing group that’s worked with thousands of veterans and family members since ...

Bought by KPBS, KUT, WRFA-LP, Texas Public Radio, and KCUR


  • Added: Dec 02, 2021
  • Length: 03:47
  • Purchases: 5
Fly-fishing programs catch on as therapy for troops and veterans recovering from trauma
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Around the country, groups are teaching wounded troops and veterans to fly fish. While there's not much research on the therapeutic benefits, some say the experience helps them heal., Credit: Studio Macleod
Around the country, groups are teaching wounded troops and veterans to fly fish. While there's not much research on the therapeutic benefits, some ...

Bought by KJZZ, KPBS, WRFA-LP, KRPS, Texas Public Radio and more


  • Added: Nov 23, 2021
  • Length: 03:49
  • Purchases: 7
Driving buses, giving vaccines, patrolling the border: Is the National Guard asked to do too much?
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: A member of the National Guard drives a school bus van in Chelsea, Mass. in October. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker activated the Guard to address a shortage of drivers as the school year began., Credit: Jesse Costa / WBUR
The National Guard is being tasked with a growing number of missions, and critics argue that heavy deployments are straining the force.

Bought by KPBS, WRFA-LP, North Country Public Radio, KMXT, and KUT


  • Added: Nov 18, 2021
  • Length: 03:47
  • Purchases: 5
Robert E. Lee once served as West Point's Superintendent. Should the school still display his portrait?
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Dignitaries - including Robert E. Lee's great grandson, Hanson E. Ely III (right) - unveil a portrait of the Confederate general in West Point's library in 1952. The portrait is one of several images of Lee that still are displayed at the military academy, Credit: From the 1952 book "The Sesquicentennial of the United States Military Academy: An Account of the Observance." / U.S. Military Academy
Congress ordered Confederate names and images to be removed from military installations. But what about portraits of Lee before he joined the Confe...

Bought by KUT, Texas Public Radio, WRFA-LP, KMXT, and KRPS


  • Added: Nov 09, 2021
  • Length: 03:40
  • Purchases: 5
For the first time, the VA is helping some veterans with PTSD get service dogs
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Army veteran Scot Pondelick said Venus, his PTSD service dog, has helped him feel more comfortable spending time in public and around groups of people., Credit: Chris Haxel / American Homefront
Congress has mandated a pilot program that will pay to train service dogs and place them in veterans' homes.

Bought by KCUR, WRFA-LP, KMXT, KUT, and Texas Public Radio


  • Added: Nov 02, 2021
  • Length: 03:19
  • Purchases: 5

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