In this special Veterans Day gathering, Mike Scotti, a former U.S. Marine, shares his journey of finding meaning after combat. 97-year-old Dawn Seymour vividly recounts her experiences as a Women Airforce Service Pilot flying B-17s during WWII. Bill Krieger opens up about the bedtime routines with his daughter amid his deployment to Iraq, while William Cole reflects on serving in the segregated 93rd Infantry Division in the South Pacific. Their stories highlight courage, camaraderie, and the lasting impact of war on family and identity.
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Quick takeaways
Mike Scotti's story exemplifies the emotional struggles veterans face post-combat, highlighting the urgent need for mental health support.
Dawn Seymour's journey as a WASP illustrates women's crucial yet overlooked contributions in WWII, marking progress for women's rights in the military.
Deep dives
The Impact of War on Veterans
The episode highlights the profound psychological effects of combat on veterans, focusing on the story of Mike Scotti, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Upon returning home, he struggled with the loss of friends and the associated grief, often receiving devastating news via phone calls from former military contacts. This struggle was compounded by his realization of the brutal reality of war, which he describes in graphic detail, revealing the emotional turmoil it created as he faced memories of violence and death. Scotti's journey reflects the larger issue of mental health among veterans, emphasizing the importance of addressing these challenges and seeking support.
Female Pilots in World War II
The episode features Dawn Seymour, a member of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II, sharing her journey from student pilot to military instructor. She discusses the challenges faced by women in aviation and recounts the heart-wrenching loss of her friend and fellow pilot during training. Despite these obstacles, Seymour persevered, ultimately flying B-17 bombers and contributing to the war effort, illustrating the vital role women played even while their contributions went largely unrecognized. Her story highlights the gradual progress made for women's rights in the military, celebrating significant milestones that followed their service.
The Importance of Routines for Families
Bill Krieger's narrative emphasizes the significance of family routines during his deployment to Iraq, particularly in tucking his daughters into bed. As a company commander, he experienced the emotional weight of being away from his family for 18 months, realizing that these nightly rituals provided a sense of stability for his children. His last moments with his youngest daughter before deployment exemplify the bittersweet nature of their routine, as she aimed to remember his image in case he did not return. Krieger's story reinforces the comfort and resilience that routines can provide to families facing the uncertainty of military service.
Courage of the 93rd Infantry Division
William Cole recounts his experiences as a member of the segregated 93rd Infantry Division during World War II, detailing the challenges and prejudice faced by African American soldiers. He shares the intensity of jungle warfare training and the camaraderie built among the soldiers, which eventually translated into effective combat against well-trained Japanese forces. Cole's narrative not only sheds light on the historical context of segregation in the military but also celebrates the bravery and skill displayed by his unit as they fulfilled their duties. His reflections on returning home highlight the ongoing struggles for recognition and equality that veterans of color continued to face post-war.
A special Veterans Day edition of The Moth Radio Hour. After returning from active duty in the Middle East, a marine searches for new meaning; a 97 year old woman describes training young men for WWII combat as a WASP; a father being deployed to Iraq must find a way to explain it to his children; and a WWII soldier from Wisconsin serves with the segregated 93rd Infantry Division in the South Pacific. This special hour is hosted by The Moth's Producing Director, Sarah Austin Jenness. The Moth Radio Hour is produced by The Moth and Jay Allison of Atlantic Public Media.
Storytellers:
Mike Scotti finds new meaning after returning from active duty in the Middle East.
Dawn Seymour becomes part of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), training young men stateside to enter WWII overseas.
Bill Krieger tucks his daughter in at night before being deployed to Iraq.
William Cole serves as a radio operator in the 93rd Infantry Division, a segregated unit, in the South Pacific.
Podcast # 356
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