This special episode features a podcast recorded and produced by retired U.S. Army officer Thomas Brouns for a Military Veterans in Journalism podcast workshop.

Brouns, who served 10 rotations in Afghanistan, shares his correspondence with Mohammad, one of five Afghan translators he supported in his effort to secure a special immigrant visa. Brouns said he wondered what Mohammad thought of the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan. His curiosity led him to contact Mohammad, and through Messenger, they exchanged updates, thoughts and the trials and tribulations that Mohammad dealt with while trying to get his family safely out of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

This is their story.

Next episode airs Oct. 1: Drew Lawrence talks to War Horse managing editor Kelly Kennedy about obeying and questioning authority as a military veteran and journalist.

U.S. Army and Afghan war veteran Thomas Brouns corresponds with Afghan translator