American Homefront Project

GroupAccount image
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

Series image
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.

Series image
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

A report finds thousands of veterans had VA claims improperly denied during the pandemic
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Veteran Marc Session points to some of his Navy mementos on display in his Chula Vista, California home., Credit: Steve Walsh / American Homefront
A VA Inspector General's report has found that the agency improperly denied benefits to thousands of veterans who couldn't see a doctor.

Bought by Texas Public Radio, KMXT, and KPCC


  • Added: Jan 12, 2021
  • Length: 03:28
  • Purchases: 3
A lack of timely and accurate data is hampering efforts to prevent veteran suicide
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Curley Bonds, the Chief Medical Officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, joins other state and county officials at a 2019 Suicide Prevention Month event., Credit: Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Some states and cities are trying to improve the quality of data on veteran suicide, which is often incomplete and years old.

Bought by Texas Public Radio, KPBS, and KMXT


  • Added: Dec 31, 2020
  • Length: 03:29
  • Purchases: 3
It was just 30 units, but an East L.A. apartment fire underscores the veteran housing crisis
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Manuel Bernal, president of East LA Community Corporation, stands in front of what remains of the Nuevo Amanecer complex, which had 30 units for homeless veterans., Credit: Robert Garrova / American Homefront
Some of Los Angeles County's 3900 homeless veterans had been lined up to move into the complex under construction. After the fire, many will remain...

Bought by KPBS, Colorado Public Radio, and WUSF


  • Added: Dec 14, 2020
  • Length: 03:20
  • Purchases: 3
National Native American Veterans Memorial celebrates a complicated tradition of service
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: The National Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. opened in November. The monument incorporates water for sacred ceremonies, benches, and lances where visitors can tie cloths for prayers and healing., Credit: Ron Cogswell / Flickr
Native Americans join the military at a high rate, but some struggle with the military's role in displacing and subjugating Indigenous people throu...

Bought by KMXT, Texas Public Radio, WUSF, North Country Public Radio, and KRZA


  • Added: Dec 04, 2020
  • Length: 03:31
  • Purchases: 5
Tragedies at Fort Hood have led the Army to rethink its response when soldiers go missing
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Demonstrators gather in San Antonio in July, shortly after Vanessa Guillen's body was found near Fort Hood., Credit: Jolene Almendarez / American Homefront
Advocates say the Army is too quick to write off soldiers as deserters when they don't show up for duty. That can delay searches when a service mem...

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


  • Added: Nov 19, 2020
  • Length: 03:45
  • Purchases: 5
A 95-year-old veteran remembers fighting WWII in the Pacific - and racism at home
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: 95-year-old World War II veteran Luther Hendricks poses with some of his military honors. He was a member of the Montford Point Marines, a group of African-American troops who trained at a segregated camp in North Carolina., Credit: Hendricks family
President Roosevelt opened all branches of the military to Black troops in 1941, but for African-American service members like Luther Hendricks, ra...

Bought by WUSF, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio, KPBS, Texas Public Radio and more


  • Added: Nov 09, 2020
  • Length: 03:41
  • Purchases: 6
Slowly and cautiously, the VA is reopening its medical clinics
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Medical personnel care for a patient in the parking garage of the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa. Much of the emergency department has been relocated outside., Credit: Ed Drohan / James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital
Medical facilities run by the Department of Veterans Affairs are reopening at a slower pace than many civilian health systems. But the VA has recen...

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


  • Added: Oct 26, 2020
  • Length: 03:21
  • Purchases: 3
COVID-19 has upended the business model of American Legion posts, but Legionnaires are innovating
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Comedian Fernando Sanchez warms up attendees of American Legion Post 397's comedy night Oct. 10. The Monterey Park, Cal. post has turned to events like this to raise money during the pandemic., Credit: Robert Garrova / American Homefront
American Legion posts across the country serve as a community hub for veterans and their families. But the pandemic has put the future of many post...

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


  • Added: Oct 22, 2020
  • Length: 03:08
  • Purchases: 5
Amid continued anger about Vanessa Guillen's death, critics say the Army often ignores sex crimes
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Josey Garcia, Pharaoh Clark, and Jourdyn Parks hold a banner as they march through San Antonio in July, shortly after Vanessa Guillen's body was found near Fort Hood., Credit: Jolene Almendarez / American Homefront
Following Guillen's killing, the Army launched an independent investigation into the climate of Fort Hood, but critics say the problems are systemic.

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


  • Added: Oct 20, 2020
  • Length: 03:49
  • Purchases: 5
Despite a reprieve from the Trump Administration, Stars And Stripes faces an uncertain future
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: A soldier in Logar Province, Afghanistan reads about the capture of Osama Bin Laden in a 2011 issue of the Stars and Stripes., Credit: Christopher Hall / Georgia National Guard
The 159-year-old military newspaper, which is published by the Department of Defense, has been targeted for elimination by some Pentagon leaders.

Bought by WUSF, KPCC, and Texas Public Radio


  • Added: Oct 06, 2020
  • Length: 03:32
  • Purchases: 3

Actions

Playlists

none

People who work with American Homefront Project

User image
Dave DeWitt
Reporter/Producer, WUNC
Caption: PRX default User image
Adam Hochberg (Admin)
Caption: PRX default User image
Brent Wolfe
Caption: PRX default User image
KPBS News
Caption: PRX default User image
KPCC BoardOperators
Caption: PRX default User image
Shula Neuman
Caption: PRX default User image
Shahla Farzan
Caption: PRX default User image
Jonathan Ahl