Longest War Podcast

VBC at Night | Heinz Field

On episode 48 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, VBC presents an evening of live veterans storytelling at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, featuring the stories and voices of Matt Landis, Leonard Hammonds, LaShaundra Hammonds, Craig Williams, Jake Wheatley, Paul Abernathy, and many others.

(This episode does not contain explicit language or subject matter)

 

 

Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are called post-9/11 veterans.  They number more than 3.7 million and make up nearly 18% of the total veteran population.  Nearly 12% of all veterans in Pennsylvania served since 9/11.

Compared to WWII, Korea, and Vietnam-era veterans, post-9/11 veterans are young and more racially, ethnically, and gender diverse.  The number of women who’ve served since 9/11 is more than double any previous generation. More than 25% of post-9/11 veterans have a service connected disability, with far more suffering from the psychological trauma of war.  About half of all post-9/11 vets served with someone who was killed.  The suicide rate among post-9/ll veterans is alarming.

Yet, post-9/11 veterans are among our nation’s best, brightest, patriotic, and productive citizens.  As President Obama said, “Across our country, veterans who fought to protect our democracy around the globe are strengthening it here at home. Once leaders in the armed forces, they are now pioneers of industry and pillars of their communities.”

At war or home, the post-9/11 veteran experience is certainly unlike any other.  The particular social, economic, and political issues facing our young veterans are, naturally, of our time.  Their stories bear this out, revealing experiences that are far more complicated than we assume, understand, or oftentimes accept.

Rather than judge, our aim is to understand the experiences of post-9/11 veterans through their stories, in their own words.  That’s why the Veterans Breakfast Club launched its Post-9/11 Veterans Storytelling Project creating communities of listening around post-9/11 veterans and their stories ensuring that their experiences will be shared with and appreciated by the public.

The Longest War podcast is an extension of this effort, featuring stories and conversations with post-9/11 veterans.

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This episode was recorded December 14, 2017 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Host: Nick Grimes.  Featuring the voices and stories of Matt Landis, Leonard Hammonds, LaShaundra Hammonds, Craig Williams, Jake Wheatley, Paul Abernathy, and many others. Executive Producer: Kevin Farkas.  Audiography: Kevin Farkas, Jon Stile.  Music (available on SoundCloud.com): Dot Legacy (“Like a Doll”). Other Sounds (Available on YouTube.com): Thomas Barnett (“Touchdown/Annoying Sound”), Young Blade (“Blak & Gold *2016 Pittsburgh Steelers Anthem*). ©Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast. Veterans Breakfast Club.  All rights reserved.

 

 

Frankia Bernstein | I Saw So Many Things

On episode 47 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Marine Corps combat veteran Frankia Bernstein about joining the military after 9/11, one less terrorist in the world, seeing things in boot camp that can’t be unseen, and providing life to the marines.

(This episode contains explicit language or subject matter)

 

 

Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are called post-9/11 veterans.  They number more than 3.7 million and make up nearly 18% of the total veteran population.  Nearly 12% of all veterans in Pennsylvania served since 9/11.

Compared to WWII, Korea, and Vietnam-era veterans, post-9/11 veterans are young and more racially, ethnically, and gender diverse.  The number of women who’ve served since 9/11 is more than double any previous generation. More than 25% of post-9/11 veterans have a service connected disability, with far more suffering from the psychological trauma of war.  About half of all post-9/11 vets served with someone who was killed.  The suicide rate among post-9/ll veterans is alarming.

Yet, post-9/11 veterans are among our nation’s best, brightest, patriotic, and productive citizens.  As President Obama said, “Across our country, veterans who fought to protect our democracy around the globe are strengthening it here at home. Once leaders in the armed forces, they are now pioneers of industry and pillars of their communities.”

At war or home, the post-9/11 veteran experience is certainly unlike any other.  The particular social, economic, and political issues facing our young veterans are, naturally, of our time.  Their stories bear this out, revealing experiences that are far more complicated than we assume, understand, or oftentimes accept.

Rather than judge, our aim is to understand the experiences of post-9/11 veterans through their stories, in their own words.  That’s why the Veterans Breakfast Club launched its Post-9/11 Veterans Storytelling Project creating communities of listening around post-9/11 veterans and their stories ensuring that their experiences will be shared with and appreciated by the public.

The Longest War podcast is an extension of this effort, featuring stories and conversations with post-9/11 veterans.

____________________________________________________________________

This episode was recorded September 14, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Host: Lauren DelRicci, with Nick Grimes. Guest: Frankia Bernstein. Executive Producer: Kevin Farkas.  Audiography: Kevin Farkas, Jon Stile.  Music (available on SoundCloud.com): LD50 (“Promo_Mix-201103”), Forgotten Dreams (“Live at Night of Museums”). ©Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast. Veterans Breakfast Club.  All rights reserved.

 

 

Derrick Clark | I See Myself

On episode 46 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Navy veteran Derrick Clark about not taking a knee in Pittsburgh, opportunities given and taken away, what it means to be an operational yeoman, documenting war, mentoring today’s youth, and racism inside and outside the military.

(This episode contains explicit language or subject matter)

 

 

Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are called post-9/11 veterans.  They number more than 3.7 million and make up nearly 18% of the total veteran population.  Nearly 12% of all veterans in Pennsylvania served since 9/11.

Compared to WWII, Korea, and Vietnam-era veterans, post-9/11 veterans are young and more racially, ethnically, and gender diverse.  The number of women who’ve served since 9/11 is more than double any previous generation. More than 25% of post-9/11 veterans have a service connected disability, with far more suffering from the psychological trauma of war.  About half of all post-9/11 vets served with someone who was killed.  The suicide rate among post-9/ll veterans is alarming.

Yet, post-9/11 veterans are among our nation’s best, brightest, patriotic, and productive citizens.  As President Obama said, “Across our country, veterans who fought to protect our democracy around the globe are strengthening it here at home. Once leaders in the armed forces, they are now pioneers of industry and pillars of their communities.”

At war or home, the post-9/11 veteran experience is certainly unlike any other.  The particular social, economic, and political issues facing our young veterans are, naturally, of our time.  Their stories bear this out, revealing experiences that are far more complicated than we assume, understand, or oftentimes accept.

Rather than judge, our aim is to understand the experiences of post-9/11 veterans through their stories, in their own words.  That’s why the Veterans Breakfast Club launched its Post-9/11 Veterans Storytelling Project creating communities of listening around post-9/11 veterans and their stories ensuring that their experiences will be shared with and appreciated by the public.

The Longest War podcast is an extension of this effort, featuring stories and conversations with post-9/11 veterans.

____________________________________________________________________

This episode was recorded November 14, 2017. Host: Nick Grimes. Guest: Derrick Clark. Executive Producer: Kevin Farkas.  Audiography: Kevin Farkas.  Music (available on SoundCloud.com): Ron Gelinas Chillout Lounge (“LANDR-Over The Horizon”), Nikolai Kozlov (“New Acoustic”).  Other sounds (available on Youtube): American Forces Network (Sasebo) (“Yeomen Still Play a Crucial Role in Today’s Navy”)  ©Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast. Veterans Breakfast Club.  All rights reserved.

 

 

VBC at Night | Beaver County

On episode 45 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, VBC presents a live evening of veterans storytelling in Beaver, Pennsylvania, featuring the stories and voices of Darell Jerome, Larry Googins, Gene Bradshaw, Steve Brittian, Timmy Kellerman, and many others.

(This episode does not contain explicit language or subject matter)

 

 

Those who served since the attacks of September 11, 2001 are called post-9/11 veterans.  They number more than 3.7 million and make up nearly 18% of the total veteran population.  Nearly 12% of all veterans in Pennsylvania served since 9/11.

Compared to WWII, Korea, and Vietnam-era veterans, post-9/11 veterans are young and more racially, ethnically, and gender diverse.  The number of women who’ve served since 9/11 is more than double any previous generation. More than 25% of post-9/11 veterans have a service connected disability, with far more suffering from the psychological trauma of war.  About half of all post-9/11 vets served with someone who was killed.  The suicide rate among post-9/ll veterans is alarming.

Yet, post-9/11 veterans are among our nation’s best, brightest, patriotic, and productive citizens.  As President Obama said, “Across our country, veterans who fought to protect our democracy around the globe are strengthening it here at home. Once leaders in the armed forces, they are now pioneers of industry and pillars of their communities.”

At war or home, the post-9/11 veteran experience is certainly unlike any other.  The particular social, economic, and political issues facing our young veterans are, naturally, of our time.  Their stories bear this out, revealing experiences that are far more complicated than we assume, understand, or oftentimes accept.

Rather than judge, our aim is to understand the experiences of post-9/11 veterans through their stories, in their own words.  That’s why the Veterans Breakfast Club launched its Post-9/11 Veterans Storytelling Project creating communities of listening around post-9/11 veterans and their stories ensuring that their experiences will be shared with and appreciated by the public.

The Longest War podcast is an extension of this effort, featuring stories and conversations with post-9/11 veterans.

____________________________________________________________________

This episode was recorded November 17, 2017 at Seven Oaks Country Club in Beaver, Pennsylvania.  Host: Nick Grimes. Featuring the stories and voices of Todd DePastino, Darell Jerome, Larry Googins, Gene Bradshaw, Andy Zedic, SteveBrittian, Timmy Kellerman, and many others. Executive Producer: Kevin Farkas.  Audiography: Kevin Farkas, Jonathan Stile.  Music (available on SoundCloud.com): DJ Fade (“Marching Band Drumline”), Weldroid (“Deer Hunter”).  Other sounds (available on Youtube):  Steven L Anderson (“Song Tell Me the Story of Jesus”). ©Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast. Veterans Breakfast Club.  All rights reserved.

 

 

Nickie Renee | No Control

(This episode contains explicit language or subject matter)

On episode 44 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Air Force veteran Nickie Renee about reasons for joining the military, alpha males, underwhelming expectations of leadership, military sexual trauma (MST), and the ongoing struggle to keep it together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This episode was recorded September 19, 2017. Host: Lauren DeRicci, with Nick Grimes. Guest: Nickie Renee. Executive Producer: Kevin Farkas.  Audiography: Kevin Farkas, Jonathan Stile.  Music (available on SoundCloud.com): Ron Gelinas Chillout Lounge (“LANDR-Reflection”), Shane Ivers (“Rendezvous”), Pipe Choir Records (“Remembering Past Everything”).  Other sounds (available on Youtube): Department of Defense (“Off-Base Activities: Killjoy Was Here!,” 1956 US Air Force Animated Training Film Cartoon).  ©Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast. Veterans Breakfast Club.  All rights reserved.

Bart Womack | Command

(This episode does not contain explicit language or subject matter)

On episode 43 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with Command Sergeant Major Bart Womack about no interest in joining the army, North Korean defectors, guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the importance of senior enlisted leadership, and surviving the massacre at Camp Pennsylvania in Iraq.

 

This episode was recorded November 21, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Host: Nick Grimes. Guest: Bart Womack. Executive Producer: Kevin Farkas.  Audiography: Kevin Farkas, Jonathan Stile.  Music (available on SoundCloud.com): Alexander Nakarada (“The Story”), Alyssa Riley (“Runaway”). Other sounds: “Camp Pennsylvania: Josh Galiyas,” from The Veteran Voices of Pittsburgh Oral History Initiative’s Audio Short Story Series (©Kevin Farkas/The Social Voice Project, Inc.). Cover art photo: The Gwinnett Citizen.  ©Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast. Veterans Breakfast Club.  All rights reserved.

Paul Abernathy | Five Good Days

(This episode does not contain explicit language or subject matter)

On episode 42 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Army combat veteran Rev. Paul Abernathy about invading Iraq, military hubris, veterans against the war, the priesthood, taking a knee, forgiving our trespasses, and treating community trauma.

 

This episode was recorded September 28, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Host: Nick Grimes. Guest: Rev. Paul Abernathy. Executive Producer: Kevin Farkas.  Audiography: Kevin Farkas, Jonathan Stile.  Music (available on SoundCloud.com): The Fisherman (“Fireflies”), Good Things Ltd (“Deep Abyss”).  Cover art photo: TEDxPittsburgh.  ©Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast. Veterans Breakfast Club.  All rights reserved.

Anthony Reilly | Corpsman

(This episode contains explicit language or subject matter)

On episode 41 of Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast, we talk with US Navy veteran Anthony Reilly about casually enlisting in the navy, becoming a pecker-checker (Hospital Corpsmen), fake military heroes, ice cream in Afghanistan, and learning the barber trade from a convicted murderer.

 

Recorded September 19, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pa. Host: Nick Grimes. Guest: Anthony Reilly. Executive Producer: Kevin Farkas.  Audiography: Kevin Farkas, Jonathan Stile.  Music (available on SoundCloud.com): Ernest Peters (“Let’s go to Hell”), George Fayez (“Leaving My Tears), Kaddon (“Trance 1”). Other sounds (available on YouTube): First Dates (“That Awkward Moment When You Have Nothing To Say To Your Date”), Art of Manliness (“How to Talk to Your Barber”).  ©Longest War: The Post-9/11 Veterans Podcast. Veterans Breakfast Club.  All rights reserved.