Talana, Willie and Felicia Banks

Nine-year-old Talana Banks, and her older brother, Willie, are Army children.

In 2005, their mother, Chief Warrant Officer Felicia Banks, deployed to Iraq and had to leave them behind, in care of their grandmother.

When they sat down for StoryCorps, Talana, Willie and Felicia looked back on that year.

Originally broadcast March 9, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Tracy Johnson and Sandra Johnson

North Carolina National Guardsman Tracy Johnson (left) is an Iraq war veteran and an Army widow. She is also believed to be the first gay spouse to lose her partner at war since the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Tracy married her long-time partner, Staff Sergeant Donna Johnson, on Valentine’s Day in 2012. Later that year, Donna was killed by a suicide bomber while serving in Khost, Afghanistan. She was 29 years old.

The Army did not consider Tracy to be Donna’s next of kin, but when Army representatives arrived to inform Donna’s family of her death, Tracy presented their marriage certificate and asked to be part of the military escort that would welcome her wife back to U.S. soil. This request was ultimately granted at the insistence of her mother-in-law, Sandra Johnson (right).

At StoryCorps, Tracy and Sandra talk about finding out that their wife and daughter wasn’t coming home.

Originally aired February 16, 2013, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.

Above: Staff Sergeant Donna Johnson. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Public Affairs Office.

Howell Graham and his mother, Nan

As a child, Howell Graham was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that often affects the lungs. By the time he reached his late twenties, Howell would lose his breath doing something as simple as brushing his teeth.

So, in 1990, he had a double-lung transplant — a risky, experimental operation at the time. Today, Howell is one of the longest-surviving recipients of that surgery.

At StoryCorps, Howell and his mom, Nan, remembered a few times when it seemed like he might not make it.

Julian Walker and his daughter Julia Walker Jewell

75-year-old Julian Walker tells his daughter, Julia Walker Jewell, about an accident his father had as a young boy.

James Thompson, Dwight Thompson and Brenda Graham

In 1958, a kiss made civil rights history. It happened in Monroe, North Carolina. Two African American children, James Hanover Thompson and David Simpson, were said to have kissed a girl who was white. They were arrested and accused of rape.

The incident became known around the world as “The Kissing Case.” But over time, it was largely forgotten.

Even the Thompson family rarely talked about it–until they came to StoryCorps, where James (L) sat down with his younger brother, Dwight (R), and told him what happened.

Under political pressure, the governor of North Carolina released the two friends. James then spent most of his adult life in and out of prison for robbery.

His sister, Brenda Lee Graham (pictured left), also came to StoryCorps. She remembered what life was like for the family after James had been arrested.

Originally aired April 29, 2011, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Lawrence Anthony and David Shirley

Lawrence Anthony (pictured above at work) has been cutting hair for over 60 years in Drexel, North Carolina. He and fellow barber, David Shirley, talk about their work, the many generations of heads they have cut and trimmed, and the changing town they work and live in.

Originally aired July 24, 2009, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Patty Barber and Ricky Boone

Ricky Boone talks with his friend Patty Barber about living with a rare bone disorder that has stunted his growth. Ricky, a professional magician for 36 years, developed a passion for magic after one of his school principals showed him tricks—he now owns a magic shop in Asheville, North Carolina, called Magic Central.

Originally aired July 10, 2009, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Cynthia Rahn

Cynthia Rahn remembers a kindergarten class project—a diorama of life on a farm—that she failed to finish on time, and what her mother did for her while Cynthia slept that showed her how much she cared.

Originally aired January 4, 2008, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Edwin Lanier, Jr. and David Wright

Edwin Lanier Jr. (left), who is homeless, speaks with his friend, David Wright (right).

Originally aired October 20, 2006, on NPR’s Morning Edition.

Thomas and Lauren Nelson

First Lieutenant Thomas Nelson and his wife, Lauren, talk about their first year of marriage.

Originally aired April 28, 2006 on NPR’s Morning Edition.