Daniel Hodd and Evelyn Hodd
In 2001, Daniel Hodd was a 17-year-old promising concert pianist with a scholarship offer from Juilliard; he also wanted to join the U.S. Marine Corps.
At StoryCorps, he sat down with his mother, Evelyn, to talk about the choice he made, and the more difficult decision he made after breaking his fingers in an accident just before he was scheduled to deploy.
Staff Sergeant Daniel Hodd deployed to Iraq twice, first in 2003 and then again in 2008.
Originally aired April 13, 2013, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.
The music at the end of his story is a 2001 recording of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” performed live by the Sound Symphony Orchestra with Daniel as solo pianist.
Mark Radlinski and Luke Radlinski
Both Mark (left) and Luke (right) Radlinski were lieutenants in the Navy. Luke deployed in 2001 to the Persian Gulf in support of the conflict in Afghanistan, and his brother, Mark, went to Iraq in 2006. But just before Mark left, they had a fight and parted on bad terms.
At StoryCorps they talk about Luke’s email to Mark that helped them move on, and their feelings upon Mark returning home.
Originally aired March 9, 2012, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.
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.
Judy Pilgrim and Randy Pilgrim
Army Specialist Lance Pilgrim was among the first troops to enter Iraq in March 2003. After he returned home. His father, Randy, quickly realized something was wrong with his son. Eventually, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and died after an accidental overdose in 2007 at the age of 26.
Suffering from panic attacks upon his return, Lance tried to manage them with pain medications, and according to his mother, Judy, he soon became dependent on the drugs. After he began leaving his base without permission, he was given an other-than-honorable discharge, which meant his service in Iraq no longer qualified him for veteran’s benefits or a military funeral with honors when he died.
After his discharge, Lance, who was later diagnosed with service-related post-traumatic stress disorder, attempted to restore his benefits by writing to the VA.
Listen to Judy read one of Lance’s letters.
The Pilgrims filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of Veterans Affairs claiming negligence in the treatment of their son. The case was settled in 2011 and subsequent, Randy requested a military funeral for Lance. This request was denied.
In 2009, two years after Lance ‘s death, the Army changed his discharge to “honorable” and Judy and Randy received Lance’s medals.
Originally aired January 13, 2013 on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.
Above: Lance Pilgrim with his parents, Randy and Judy, at his pre-deployment ceremony in January 2003. Photo courtesy of Judy Pilgrim.
Justin Cliburn and Deanne Cliburn
Specialist Justin Cliburn deployed to Iraq in 2005 with the Oklahoma Army National Guard. His job was to train the Iraqi police in Baghdad.
When he sat down for StoryCorps with his wife, Deanne, he told her about his friendship with a young Iraqi boy named Ali.
On Veterans Day 2014, StoryCorps released a series of animated shorts from our Military Voices Initiative—including one of Justin’s story.
Click here to watch “The Nature of War.”
Originally aired November 10, 2012, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.
Denny Meyer
When Denny Meyer enlisted in the Navy in 1968, he had to hide the fact that he was gay.
At the time, homosexuality wasn’t tolerated in the Navy and anyone found to be gay would be discharged from service.
At StoryCorps, Meyer recalled what it was like to be gay and a sailor in those days.
Originally aired June 22, 2012, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Max Voelz
Max Voelz met his future wife, Kimberly, on Valentine’s Day, while they were training to work in Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit — the Army’s elite bomb squad.
Both Max and Kim were sent to Iraq in 2003. One night, Max called in the location of an explosive and Kim was sent to disarm it. She did not survive the mission.
Max sat down for StoryCorps to remember her.
Originally aired May 27, 2011, on NPR’s Morning Edition.