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

Troops are marrying each other more often, creating new challenges for the Pentagon
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Angelina Gabriel's family surrounds her as she's promoted to the rank of Navy Chief Petty Officer in a September ceremony. Gabriel's husband also is a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy., Credit: Anthony N. Hilkowski / U.S. Navy
About 84,000 service members are married to another member of the military, and some find it hard to balance their marriages with their careers.

Bought by North Country Public Radio, KPCC, KMUD, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Texas Public Radio and more


  • Added: Jul 09, 2018
  • Length: 03:51
  • Purchases: 6
VA issues long awaited veteran ID card, but it comes with an ad on the back
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: The VA is now mailing ID cards to veterans who apply for them online. The cards include the logo of Office Depot, which is paying the cost to print and distribute them through 2020.
Congress mandated the card in 2015, but provided no funding. So the VA struck a deal with Office Depot.

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


  • Added: Jun 28, 2018
  • Length: 03:25
  • Purchases: 6
'Why him and not me?' Songwriting to mend the wounds of war
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier appeared at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, Cal. as part of her nationwide tour for "Rifles and Rosary Beads.", Credit: Libby Denkmann/American Homefront
For her new album, Nashville singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier collaborated with veterans to write songs about war, service, and life after the milit...

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


  • Added: Jun 13, 2018
  • Length: 04:03
  • Purchases: 5
Remembering a near disaster: U.S. accidentally drops nuclear bombs on itself And Its Allies
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: A nuclear bomb and its parachute rest in a field near Goldsboro, N.C. after falling from a B-52 bomber in 1961. If it had detonated, it could have instantly killed thousands of people. , Credit: U.S. Air Force
During the Cold War, U.S. planes accidentally dropped nuclear bombs on the east coast, in Europe, and elsewhere. "Dumb luck" prevented a historic c...

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


  • Added: Jun 05, 2018
  • Length: 04:10
  • Purchases: 6
In L.A., homeless vets now can sleep in their cars at the VA
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Army veteran Adam John Halvorsen and his girlfriend, Angela Del Castillo, were the first participants in a Safe Parking Program on the West Los Angeles VA campus., Credit: Libby Denkmann/American Homefront
In the first program of its kind in the nation, the West Los Angeles VA has opened its campus to veterans who sleep in their cars. Officials say it...

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


  • Added: May 30, 2018
  • Length: 03:26
  • Purchases: 5
When veterans die without loved ones, these volunteers make sure they have a send off
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: A bugler plays Taps at Bay Pines National Cemetery as veterans stand at attention for their fellow former service members who died without close relatives., Credit: Bobbie O'Brien/American Homefront
Memorial Day is set aside to remember those who died in military service. But a group of military veterans in Florida works all year to commemorate...

Bought by KGUA, KBBI Alaska, KPBS, Texas Public Radio, North Country Public Radio and more


  • Added: May 24, 2018
  • Length: 03:52
  • Purchases: 6
VA partners with food banks as more veterans struggle to afford food
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Vietnam-era veteran Diane Fike selects vegetables at the Austin, Tex. VA food pantry. Studies have found a growing number of veterans are food insecure, including many who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan., Credit: Carson Frame/American Homefront
More than 1.4 million veterans of all ages rely on government food assistance, but food insecurity is disproportionately common among post 9/11 vet...

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


  • Added: May 17, 2018
  • Length: 03:38
  • Purchases: 5
As the Army grows more diverse, it faces a shortage of chaplains
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Lt. Col. Khallid Shabazz leads Friday prayer for the Muslim community of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Shabazz is the Army's first division-level Muslim chaplain., Credit: Anna Boiko-Weyrauch / American Homefront
The military has made progress diversifying its chaplain corps. But it faces a shortage of chaplains of all faiths.

Bought by KRZA, WUSF, and KPBS


  • Added: May 07, 2018
  • Length: 06:55
  • Purchases: 3
Facing unique mental health challenges, female veterans are killing themselves more often
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Deana Martorella Orellana's mother, Laurel Martorella (left), and Orellana's sister, Robin Jewell, hold her Marine Corps photo. Orellana killed herself a year after leaving the Marines. She had agreed to undergo counseling the day she died., Credit: Jay Price/American Homefront
Female veterans are nearly 2 1/2 times more likely than their civilian counterparts to kill themselves. Advocates say women's mental health challen...

Bought by KGUA, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, KRZA, WUSF and more


  • Added: Apr 23, 2018
  • Length: 07:41
  • Purchases: 8
Struggling to meet recruiting goals, the Navy will allow sailors to take a break and return
From: American Homefront Project
Caption: Sailors at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. raise a flag to recognize the station's success at retaining personnel. The Navy recognizes units that do a good job keeping sailors in the service., Credit: Greg Mitchell / U.S. Navy
As the Navy plans to increase the number of ships, it's looking for new ways to keep sailors in the service, even allowing them to leave for a year...

  • Added: Apr 06, 2018
  • Length: 03:39

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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