Scott Skiles and Zach Skiles
Marine Corporal Zach Skiles was deployed to Iraq in 2003 at the start of the United States invasion. While serving on the frontlines, he lost five of his friends within a two-week period.
When he returned home, Zach found it difficult to hold down a job and soon after found himself homeless.
At StoryCorps, Zach sat down with his father, Scott, to talk about the difficulties he faced after the war and how he got back on his feet.
Where are they now?
In 2018, Zach is in his fourth and final academic year of a PhD program in clinical psychology. He looks forward to using his degree to help other veterans in need.
Photo: Zach Skiles (right) with his father Scott (left) at their StoryCorps interview in San Francisco, CA. Photo by Geraldine Ah-Sue for StoryCorps.
Originally aired April 18, 2015, on NPR’s Weekend Edition.
Daniel Wheeler and Erik Galvan
Lance Corporal Erik Galvan (right) was 19 when he deployed to Afghanistan in 2011.
Three months into his deployment, he was walking ahead of his squad looking for improvised explosive devices when they approached an ominous wooded area.
His squad leader, Sgt. Daniel Wheeler (left), was several feet behind him when he ordered Galvan to proceed.
They sat down for a StoryCorps conversation about the day that war tore their friendship apart.
Originally aired March 7, 2015, on NPR’s Weekend Edition.
Stefanie Pelkey and Thomas Hart
Stefanie Pelkey is a former Army Captain. Her husband, Army Captain Michael Pelkey served in Iraq in 2003. He was diagnosed with PTSD a year after he returned.
Army Sergeant Thomas “TJ” Hart is also a veteran and struggles with PTSD. Stefanie and TJ became friends while volunteering at a Veteran’s Center in Houston, TX.
At StoryCorps, they talked about what happened when Stephanie’s husband came home from war.
The 2012 VA Suicide Data Report found that 22 veterans die every day by suicide. Visit the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America website for more info.
Originally aired January 31, 2015, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.
1st Squad, 3rd Platoon
In August 2005, Marine Lance Cpl. Travis Williams and his squad were sent on a rescue mission in Barwanah, Iraq. En route, their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. Of Travis’ entire 12-person team, he alone survived. Here, Travis reflects on the hours and days after the explosion, as well as his life now, and pays tribute to the men he left behind.
StoryCorps is proud to present “1st Squad, 3rd Platoon” alongside “The Nature of War” and “The Last Viewing” to honor Veterans Day 2014. The stories come from StoryCorps’ Military Voices Initiative, which aims to bridge the gap between veterans and civilians. Told in the voices of veterans and their family members, these films honor the service and sacrifice of the military community and tells them that we—as a nation—are listening.
Para subtítulos en español, haga click en el ícono de YouTube en la esquina derecha, y escoja “Spanish” bajo la opción de “settigs” y “subtitles/CC.”
The Last Viewing
Allen Hoe served as a combat medic during the Vietnam War, and his two sons continued his legacy of service. His oldest son, Nainoa, eventually became a first lieutenant infantry officer with the Army’s 3rd Battalion. In January 2005, while leading his men through Mosul, Iraq, Nainoa was killed by sniper fire. He was 27. On Memorial Day that same year, Allen traveled to Washington to honor Nainoa’s memory, and it was there that he had a chance encounter with a stranger that brought them both unforeseen comfort.
StoryCorps is proud to present “The Last Viewing” alongside “1st Squad, 3rd Platoon” and “The Nature of War” to honor Veterans Day 2014. The stories come from StoryCorps’ Military Voices Initiative, which aims to bridge the gap between veterans and civilians. Told in the voices of veterans and their family members, these films honor the service and sacrifice of the military community and tells them that we—as a nation—are listening.
Para subtítulos en español, haga click en el ícono de YouTube en la esquina derecha, y escoja “Spanish” bajo la opción de “settings” y “subtitles/CC.”
The Nature of War
In 2005, Specialist Justin Cliburn deployed to Iraq with the Oklahoma Army National Guard. While serving in Baghdad, Justin formed an unlikely friendship with two Iraqi boys who lived nearby. At StoryCorps, Justin speaks with his wife, Deanne, about the lasting impression the boys left on his life.
This story comes from StoryCorps Military Voices Initiative, which aims to bridge the gap between veterans and civilians. Told in the voices of veterans and their family members, these films honor the service and sacrifice of the military community and tells them that we—as a nation—are listening.
Para subtítulos en español, haga click en el ícono de YouTube en la esquina derecha, y escoja “Spanish” bajo la opción de “settings” y “subtitles/CC.”
Kirk Sharp and Ryan Sharp
Sgt. Ryan Sharp (right) served two tours in Iraq with the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
In 2008, when he returned to the States from his last tour, things weren’t the same. He had trouble thinking straight, he felt off and was deeply depressed.
Ryan and his father, Kirk Sharp (left), sat down for a StoryCorps conversation in Lincoln, Nebraska to talk about what happened when Ryan came home.
Originally aired November 8, 2014, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.
Hector Matascastillo and Trista Matascastillo
In 1998, Trista Matascastillo was in the Navy, when she was sexually assaulted by someone she had served with.
Trista told no one about the attack. She had a son as a result and raised him by herself.
Five years later, she met her husband, Army 1st Sergeant Hector Matascastillo. They recently talked about what Trista lived through.
Originally aired November 1, 2014, on NPR’s Weekend Edition.
Photo courtesy of Trista Matascastillo.
Kevin Powell and Shirley Parrello
Lance Corporal Brian Parrello (left) was the only member of his Marine platoon who didn’t make it home from Iraq.
They were patrolling near the Haditha Dam when Brian was killed by an IED. He was 19 years old.
Since then, Brian’s platoon has become close with his family. One of those Marines, Sergeant Kevin Powell (top left), sat down for a StoryCorps conversation with Brian’s mother, Shirley (top right).
Originally aired October 25, 2014, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.
Photos courtesy of Shirley Parrello.
Paul Braun and “Philip”
In 2009, Army Sergeant Paul Braun (right) was serving near Basra, Iraq with the 34th Military Police Company of the Minnesota National Guard. They were assigned an interpreter the American soldiers named “Philip” (left).
During the next nine months, Paul and Philip grew close—so close that upon returning to the U.S., Paul sponsored Philip’s visa. They now live together in Minnesota.
Philip’s wife and children were forced to stay behind in Iraq, and in October 2014, Philip returned to his home country to try to reach his family and bring them back to the U.S.
Before leaving, Philip and Paul sat down for a conversation at StoryCorps.
Originally aired October 18, 2014, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.