The Impact of War
Over the next few months, an estimated 4,000 members of the Pennsylvania National Guard will prepare for duty in Iraq—the members of the 56th Stryker Brigade. Their mission is likely to last at least a year. It will profoundly affect their lives and those of their families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.
In cooperation with National Public Radio and other Pennsylvania public radio stations, WPSU will bring you special coverage, through a project called "Impact of War," to examine how the deployment affects our region and its people.
"Impact of War" coverage will focus on the emotional toll the deployment has on the families of service men and women... and how the community gears up to cope with their absence.
November 12, 2008
Impact of War: Land of Confusion
In late October, WITF's Scott Detrow visited Camp Shelby in Missouri and the members of the 56th Strkyer Brigade, to see how their training was going. Read Detrow's blog entry.
October 28, 2008
Impact of War: Land of Confusion
In March of 2004, a Penn State film student and National Guard member was deployed to Iraq. He packed his camera. The tour of duty resulted in an unauthorized and award-winning documentary. It screened this past weekend in State College. WPSU's Cynthia Berger talked with the filmmaker as part of our ongoing "Impact of War" series.
Links:
October 10, 2008
Imapct of War: Divided Loyalties
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard are "citizen soldiers" who balance military responsibilities with their personal lives. As the guard's 56th Stryker Brigade deploys to Iraq, First Lt. Sam Coover can tell you about that juggling act. He's a high-school chemistry teacher, AND a single father of three young children. WITF's Scott Detrow has more.
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September 25, 2008
Impact of War: Marching to the Train
The Pennsylvania National Guard's Stryker brigade heads for Camp Shelby in Mississippi today, for training before deployment to Iraq. They'll make the trip south by plane. But yesterday, one company began their journey according to a longstanding tradition.
Links:
- Watch the audio slideshow
- The website of the 2nd 112th (Stryker) Charger Company
- Read more about the march to the train in the Centre Daily Times
September 19, 2008
Impact of War: The Real Hero
As members of the Pennsylvania National Guard's 56th Stryker Brigade prepare for deployment to Iraq, their loved ones face an ordeal at home. Many women will become the sole heads of their households. They're turning to each other for strength. WPSU's Cynthia Berger got to meet the one woman everyone relies on.
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September 13, 2008
Soccer for Soldiers
This past Thursday, the nation observed the 7th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. In Bellefonte, the day was also an opportunity for a tribute to the troops—a way to recognize members of the Pennsylvania National Guard's 56th Stryker Brigade, which deploys to Iraq this winter.
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July 31, 2008
Impact of War: Keeping the Faith
When soldiers head off to war, a chaplain goes with them. Another chaplain stays home, to help military families with everything from childcare to funeral arrangements.
Our ongoing series called "Impact of War" follows the members of the Pennsylvania National Guard's 56th Stryker Brigade as they prepare to deploy to Iraq. Today, meet a man who's both a chaplain and a young soldier's father. From member station WHYY, Susan Phillips reports.
Links:
Sniper
July 24, 2008
Impact of War: Sniper Training
Snipers face unique risks. They work time in hostile territory. And they bear a heavy responsibility for the safety of other soldiers. As the Pennsylvania National Guard's 56th Stryker Brigade prepares to deploy to Iraq, snipers are going through intense training. Scott Detrow of member station WITF reports.
Links:
- More on how the 56th Stryker Brigade trains
- Read the WITF "Reporter's Notebook" about the 56th Stryker Brigade's preparations for war
Adjutant Gen. Jessica Wright
July 11, 2008
Impact of War: Adjutant General Jessica Wright
In America's international war on terror, the Pennsylvania National Guard plays an important role: Nearly one-quarter of the Guard's 20- thousand members have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Now the Pennsylvania National Guard is preparing for another deployment . . . The 56th Stryker Brigade has been ordered to Iraq.
As part of our ongoing series, "Impact of War," WVIA's Pamela Varkony talked with General Jessica Wright about what it's like to lead one of America's largest and most sophisticated National Guard units.
Links:
- About the 56th Stryker Brigade
- More about the 56th Stryker Brigade
- About Major General Jessica Wright
July 2, 2008
Impact of War: National Military Family Association
If a year in Iraq is tough on the troops, it's also hard on those left behind. To understand how deployment affects family members and employers, Pamela Talbot from member station WVIA in Wilkes-Barre interviewed Kathy Moakler, director of the National Military Family Association.
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