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, St. Louis Public Radio, and WSHU-Fairfield, Conn.

Series

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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.

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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

Medical foster homes can be an option for elderly veterans, but the VA won't pay for them
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: At a medical foster home near San Antonio, caregiver Tiffany Graves (left) sets out art supplies for Rose Witherspoon, a World War II veteran., Credit: Carson Frame/American Homefront
For thousands of elderly veterans, long term care means living in a nursing home or institutional care setting. But some have found a much homier o...

Bought by WUSF, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, North Country Public Radio, KPBS and more


  • Added: Dec 10, 2018
  • Length: 03:43
  • Purchases: 7
In an outdoor recreation program, veterans find healing and friendship
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Jesus Guzmán (right) and fellow Higher Ground veterans participate in a team-building exercise during a hike in Big Bear, Cal., Credit: Libby Denkmann/American Homefront
At "recreational therapy" camps, outdoor activities and mindfulness help veterans with PTSD, sexual trauma, and other issues.

Bought by KRZA, KMUD, KPBS, North Country Public Radio, Texas Public Radio and more


  • Added: Oct 25, 2018
  • Length: 03:53
  • Purchases: 7
A challenge for military moms: Breastfeeding and pumping on duty
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Staff Sgt. Melishia Francis prepares her breast pump in a lactation room at Lackland Air Force Base's Wilford Hall Medical Hospital., Credit: Daniel J. Calderón / US Air Force
Inflexible work schedules and lack of support can make it tough for new mothers in the military to keep breastfeeding their children.

Bought by KRZA, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, KMUD, Texas Public Radio and more


  • Added: Oct 01, 2018
  • Length: 03:46
  • Purchases: 7
As medical marijuana becomes more accepted, veterans urge the VA to prescribe it
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Janine Lutz displays her Memorial Wall, which she built with photos of veterans who killed themselves. She said the VA's policy shunning medical marijuana is leading to needless deaths., Credit: Julio Ochoa/American Homefront
Though medical marijuana is legal in most states, the Department of Veterans Affairs will neither recommend nor prescribe it because of a longstand...

Bought by Texas Public Radio, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, North Country Public Radio, KPCC, and KPBS


  • Added: Sep 04, 2018
  • Length: 03:40
  • Purchases: 5
After generations of grief and frustration, families of Korean War MIAs are more optimistic
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: U.S. Defense Department forensic anthropologists in Wonsan, North Korea examine the contents of boxes containing the possible remains of U.S. MIAs July 27, 2018., Credit: David Marshall / U.S. Army
Families hope advances in DNA technology and thawing U.S./North Korean relations will help the government recover and identify long-missing remains...

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, KPBS, Texas Public Radio, and WUSF


  • Added: Aug 28, 2018
  • Length: 03:53
  • Purchases: 4
As America's veterans grow older, the VA faces a long-term care crisis
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Participants in Oxnard Family Circle's Adult Day Healthcare program get transportation to and from home on weekdays., Credit: Libby Denkmann/American Homefront
The number of veterans in the VA healthcare system who are 70 or older is expected to grow 30 percent in the next eight years.

Bought by Texas Public Radio, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, WUSF, KMUD, and KPBS


  • Added: Aug 21, 2018
  • Length: 03:50
  • Purchases: 5
These Air Force trainees spend less time in the cockpit, more time in flight simulators
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Airman 1st Class Jack Pepper (with goggles) attempts a maneuver on a simulator while Lt. Col. Paul Vicars looks on. Pepper is among the first participants in Pilot Training Next, which uses off-the-shelf virtual reality technology., Credit: Carson Frame / American Homefront
Facing a shortage of pilots, the Air Force is experimenting with ways to make training programs faster and less expensive.

Bought by Texas Public Radio, WUSF, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, KPBS, and KPCC


  • Added: Aug 07, 2018
  • Length: 03:45
  • Purchases: 5
For military spouses with professional licenses, each move can mean a bureaucratic fight
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Aleta Nims has lived in Potsdam, N.Y. for a year. She's still working to get re-licensed as a mental health counselor., Credit: Sarah Harris/American Homefront
When military families move, the careers of service members' spouses may grind to a halt because they lack a professional license in their new state.

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, KPBS, WUSF, Texas Public Radio, KPCC and more


  • Added: Aug 02, 2018
  • Length: 03:47
  • Purchases: 6
Their last fight: Filipino veterans make a final push for recognition
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Maximo Purisima Young, 97, displays photographs from his military service. He helped transport supplies and troops in World War II, then fought as a guerilla alongside American soldiers., Credit: Dorian Merina/American Homefront
During World War II, more than a quarter million Filipinos fought alongside American soldiers. Many are still awaiting the recognition promised to ...

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, KPBS, Texas Public Radio, and KPCC


  • Added: Jul 30, 2018
  • Length: 07:44
  • Purchases: 4
They were recruited into the military, but non-citizen troops now face an uncertain future
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: The first Navy sailors to participate in the MAVNI program take their oath of citizenship in this 2010 file photo. MAVNI has been controversial since it began in 2008., Credit: Scott Thornbloom / U.S. Navy
From 2009 to 2016, the Defense Department recruited more than 10,000 non-citizens into the armed forces. Now some say they're being discharged with...

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, KPBS, KMUD, North Country Public Radio, WUSF and more


  • Added: Jul 24, 2018
  • Length: 03:44
  • Purchases: 6

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People who work with American Homefront Project

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