Donna Orolin
After Army Private First Class Brian Orolin returned from Afghanistan in 2011, everything seemed fine. But as the years went by, his wife, Donna, could tell something wasn’t right.
He became paranoid, suffered constant headaches, and would isolate himself in his bedroom with the lights dimmed.
Then, on November 19, Brian left his home and family. He’s been missing ever since.
At StoryCorps, Donna remembered the day he returned from Afghanistan, and the moments before he disappeared.
If anyone has information regarding Brian’s whereabouts, please contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office near Spring, Texas.
Originally aired September 5, 2015, on NPR’s Weekend Edition.
Photo courtesy of Donna Orolin.
Lisa Torello and Tony Cistaro
In December of 1965, Sgt. 1st Class Carl Torello was serving with the Special Forces in Vietnam when he was killed by a roadside bomb. His daughter, Sgt. Major Lisa Torello, was 5 years old at the time.
Almost 50 years later, she connected with Tony Cistaro, the only survivor of the attack that killed her father. Their conversation was recorded in Washington DC just one day after they first met.
Originally aired May 22, 2015, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
January 6, 1966, obituary courtesy of The Oswego Valley News.
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.
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.
Drew Pham and Molly Pearl
Army Captain Drew Pham was 24 years old when he completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan in October 2011.
Since returning, Drew has had a hard time making sense of what he saw at war and adjusting to life at home.
At StoryCorps, Drew (left) spoke with his wife, Molly Pearl (right), about that transition and some of his most difficult combat memories.
Drew was honorably discharged from the Army in 2013.
Originally aired March 29, 2014, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.
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.
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.
Travis Williams
Lance Corporal Travis Williams is a veteran of the Iraq war.
On August 3, 2005, Williams’ squad was on a rescue mission in Barwanah when their caravan hit an IED. He was the only member of his 12-man squad to survive.
At StoryCorps, Williams remembered what happened that day. 
On Veterans Day 2014, StoryCorps released a series of animated shorts from our Military Voices Initiative—including one of Travis’ story.
Click here to watch “1st Squad, 3rd Platoon,” the StoryCorps animation of Travis’ story.
Originally aired May 25, 2013, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.
Above: Photo courtesy of Travis Williams
Elizabeth Olson, Karin Porch, Rich Barham and Nelson Peck
Suicide by members of the military is a growing concern. In 2012, more soldiers died at their own hands than in combat. At the Veterans Crisis Line, a national suicide prevention hotline run by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, men and women devote themselves to helping service members through their most difficult times.
At StoryCorps, Elizabeth Olson, (“Sometimes it’s really hard for me to talk to the 19- and 20-year-olds, because, when my kids started, that’s how old they were. And when you have a 19- or 20-year-old who wants to die, that is totally heartbreaking.”), Karin Porch (“I have had the calls: ‘I’ve got a gun to my head. You’ve got 30 seconds, why shouldn’t I pull the trigger?'”), Rich Barham (“I remember, after that phone call, being a little jerky and nervous—going outside, smoking a couple of cigarettes. And then just coming back in and doing my job again.”), and Nelson Peck (“I had PTSD as well, and what I started to realize was my PTSD was triggered by survivor guilt…I was meant to survive to do this, so other veterans could survive.”) discuss calls they have taken and why their work is so meaningful to them.
Originally aired September 14, 2013, on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday.
Top photo: Elizabeth Olson.
Middle photo: Karin Porch.
Bottom photo: Rich Barham (left) and Nelson Peck.
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.