Cedar Lay and Patty Woods
In the late 1970s, Patty Woods (pictured above right) was a waitress at a restaurant in New York City when a customer caught her eye. They became friends and soon after, struck up a relationship.
Now, decades later, Patty lives in San Francisco. At StoryCorps, Patty told her friend Cedar Lay (pictured above left) about the lasting impact this partner left on her.
This conversation was recorded at the San Francisco StoryBooth. For more information or to make an appointment click here.
Originally aired July 2, 2014, on NPR’s Tell Me More.
Jon Meadows and Melissa Meadows
Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Jon Meadows has served two tours of duty, first to Iraq in 2006, then to Afghanistan in 2012.
Over the course of his service, he suffered multiple head injuries—which he didn’t report because he wanted to keep on serving.
Then, in an examination during his last tour, doctors found polyps in Jon’s throat. He was sent to a hospital in the States—and that’s when the brain damage was discovered.
Jon and his wife, Melissa (pictured in the player above), came to the White House for a day StoryCorps spent recording with Joining Forces, the national effort to support service members and their families, which is spearheaded by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden.
In Washington, Jon told his wife about his life now, and remembered a friend and fallen soldier who served with him in Iraq.
Originally aired May 24, 2014, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.
Above: Photo of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden courtesy of Lawrence Jackson for the White House.Staff Sergeant Jon Meadows, who suffered traumatic injuries during his last tour of duty in Afghanistan, remembers a fallen friend.
Sophy Medina, Thomas Olsen, and Luca
Sophy Medina and her fiancé, Tommy Olsen, are both firefighters in New York City. They are stationed at different firehouses and don’t often get to work together.
But one night in February, shortly after they began dating, Sophy and Tommy ended up at the same fire. They came to StoryCorps—with their baby son Luca in tow—to talk about that unconventional Valentine’s Day date.
Originally aired February 14, 2014, on NPR’s Morning Edition
Jessica Villarreal and Anthony Villarreal
In June 2008, Marine Corporal Anthony Villarreal was driving back from a mission in Afghanistan when his truck hit a roadside bomb.
Anthony suffered third-degree burns over most of his body. His right arm and the fingers on his left hand had to be amputated.
Anthony was 22 at the time, and newly married to Jessica, who was just 21.
When the couple sat down for StoryCorps, Anthony remembered the moments just after the explosion.
Note: Since this interview, Anthony and Jessica have brought a son into the world: Anthony Junior. They live in Lubbock, TX, where they did their original StoryCorps interview. Jessica is in school, working to become an art therapist for wounded veterans. Anthony is mostly a stay-at-home dad, though he does speaking engagements with the Wounded Warrior Project from time to time.
Originally aired November 9, 2013, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.
StoryCorps 10th Anniversary Update: Danny Perasa and Annie Perasa
For the 10th Anniversary of StoryCorps, we are revisiting some of our favorite stories.
When we first heard from Danny and Annie Perasa in August 2004, they talked about their first date, an on-the-spot marriage proposal, and their deep enduring love for each other. Danny also shared that he leaves daily love notes for Annie.
“To my princess, the weather out today is extremely rainy, I’ll call you at 11:20 in the morning. And I love you, I love you, I love you.”
In February 2006, Danny and Annie recorded another StoryCorps interview, but this time it was conducted in their Brooklyn home because as they revealed, he has a fast spreading form of pancreatic cancer.
“My dearest wife, this is a very special day. It is a day on which we share our love which still grows after all these years. Now that love is being used by us to sustain us through these hard times. All my love, all my days and more. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Not long after that interview, Danny died in his sleep at the age of 67.
Today, Annie, 71, still lives in that same apartment, and she recently recorded another StoryCorps interview to thank all those who have reached out to her over the years and let everyone know that while she misses Danny, she has his love letters and is doing all right.
Originally aired October 25, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Rebecca Greenberg, Carl Greenberg, and Laura Greenberg
When we first heard from Laura Greenberg and her daughter Rebecca in January 2011, Laura spoke about growing up in her parents’ home in Queens, New York, in the 1950s, and not knowing what normal behavior was. She also spent time telling stories about meeting and marrying her husband, Carl.
Laura and Rebecca returned to StoryCorps, this time with Carl along as well, to give him an opportunity to weigh in on some of the things said about him the first time his wife and daughter recorded their interview.
Originally aired October 24, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Starr Cookman and Kylee Moreland Fenton
Starr Cookman (left) and Kylee Moreland Fenton (right) have been best friends since they were children—even trying to become blood sisters. And today, they remain just as close, living on the same street as each other with their families.
Kylee is a nurse and soon after Starr’s son Rowan was born, he began breathing rapidly and spitting up food. This concerned Kylee and she recommended getting him to a doctor immediately. It turned out there was something wrong with his heart and he was rushed into surgery, saving his life.
At StoryCorps, Starr and Kylee discuss the bond between them that has only grown stronger over time.
Originally aired October 18, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Gordon Schei and Christine Schei
In October 2005, 21-year-old Army Sgt. Erik Schei was shot in the head during his second tour in Iraq. The bullet shattered the top half of his skull, and doctors told his parents, Gordon and Christine, that he would be paralyzed and in a vegetative state for the rest of his life.
Erik has since made a remarkable recovery, and at StoryCorps, his parents discuss their concerns about the future, and as his primary caretakers, their ability to care for their son as they get older.
Originally aired October 12, 2013, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.
Above: The Schei Family in 2010 from left to right: Anneka, Gordon, Erik, Deven and Christine. Photo courtesy of the Schei family.
Ondelee Perteet and Deetreena Perteet
One night in 2009, 14-year-old Ondelee Perteet and a friend went to a party in his hometown of Chicago. He got into an argument and was shot in the face.
When his mother, Detreena, arrived at the hospital, doctors told her he would never move his arms and legs again. She then moved into the hospital with her son and was there for him through each difficult moment.
At StoryCorps, Ondelee tells his mother that while he knows how hard it was for her to see him in a wheelchair, he “felt blessed to have my mama do this for me” and never give up on him.
Ondelee is now enrolled at Malcolm X College in Chicago and plans to start school in January 2014 to study communications, with hopes of becoming a motivational speaker.
Originally aired August 9, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
John Curtis and John Wikiera
John Curtis and his husband, David Wikiera (pictured at left), have two sons. The couple adopted their first child, also named John, from Vietnam when he was a baby.
At StoryCorps, John and his son, 11-year-old John, talk about the boy’s hopes for the future, and the father’s desire to be a parent.
Originally aired April 12, 2013, on NPR’s Morning Edition.