“Dad, I Can't Talk About It."

World War 2 VeteransS1Community
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Episode 7

Why do some veterans stay quiet? And how can civilians help?

 

Part One

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

Many of the World War 2 combat veterans we’re hearing from this season didn’t talk about their service experiences for most of their lives. On the first of this two-part episode, we explore the history behind why they might not have opened up, how things have changed with time, and what’s helped them start talking.

Then we head to Livingston County, New York, where a community-made war memorial recently brought veterans and their families together in a stunning show of outreach and support.

Read the Transcript

Misti Boettiger was the Associate Producer on this episode. Coby McDonald and Andrew Stezler engineered interviews with Lawson Sakai; Elizabeth Emery with William Walker; and Juuni Ramocan with John Bistrica. Eleanor Hutman is the post-production intern for this episode.

Thank you to those involved in the Livingston County Veterans’ Monument for joining us on this episode. See more on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To support other organizations who've connected us with the other veterans you're hearing in this episode, visit The Greatest Generations Foundation, Tuskegee Airmen Inc, the Japanese American Veterans Association, and the Veterans Network Committee Honor Flight.

 
 

Part Two

Listen: Apple Podcasts| Stitcher | Spotify

Many of the World War 2 combat veterans we’re hearing from this season didn’t talk about their service experiences for most of their lives. On the second part of this two-part episode, we explore how experiences differed for two of our World War 2 Navy veterans, and what brought them together to invite healing 70 years later.

Then, Sarah Sicard of Military Times and Cindy Stephens of the Freedom Pantry for Veterans share how they use conversation to bring veterans out of their shell and into lighter spaces.

Read the Transcript

See more on Instagram and join the conversation on Facebook. Misti Boettiger was the Associate Producer on this episode. Coby McDonald and Andrew Stezler engineered interviews with Lawson Sakai; Elizabeth Emery with William Walker; and Juuni Ramocan with John Bistrica. Eleanor Hutman is the post-production intern for this episode.

Thank you to Cindy Stephans at The Freedom Pantry For Veterans and to Sarah Sicard at Military Times for speaking with us for this episode. To support other organizations we’ve worked with thus far this season, visit The Greatest Generations Foundation, the Veterans Network Committee, the Japanese American Veterans Association, and Tuskegee Airmen Inc.

 
 

Behind The Episode:

  • View a gallery of photos and documents applicable to this episode at ServicePodcast.org.

  • Explore Veterans Coming Home, a public-media campaign focusing on "what works" for veterans when they return to civilian life, Make the Connection for comprehensive information about support for veterans returning home from service, and Military Times' interactive Veterans Transition Survival Guide for service members.

  • Read one of the first articles about Alcoholics Anonymous in the Saturday Evening Post, Mar 1941.

  • Read about Ernie Pyle and see photos + videos of his work during WWII on Business Insider.

  • Visit the Library of Congress online to learn more about Bob Hope's dedication to entertaining the U.S. troops throughout his career.

  • Learn about how the poppy became a symbol of remembrance after WWI at The American Legion Family and History.com.

  • Read about 9 famous people that enlisted in WWII at History.com.

  • Learn about Narrative Therapy for those with PTSD at Positive Psychology (includes techniques and worksheets).

  • Read about the healing powers of story telling in this article from the Ariel Group.

  • Read a Washington Post article about the trauma of WW2 and how it still affects WWII veterans today.

  • This study examines alcohol and drug abuse among U.S. Veterans and provides in-depth information about the relationship between PTSD and substance abuse.

  • Read about how troubled parrots and veterans living with PTSD find solace in one another in this New York Times Magazine article.

About PTSD and resources available:

Newsreel footage of warships returning home to the USA in various ports. October 16, 1945.

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