hmTv at HMTC Podcasts Ep 340: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Angel Flores P1 on hmTv
Ep. 340: The Fog of War and Humanity with Angel Flores (Part 1)
In this gripping first installment, host Richard Acritelli sits down with Angel Flores, a U.S. Marine whose life changed forever on the eve of 9/11 and during the opening days of the Iraq War.
Angel shares his story from humble beginnings in Rosedale, Queens, to enlisting in the Marine Corps just days before the attacks on the World Trade Center—attacks he witnessed from his own front porch. He walks listeners through the intense emotions of training at Parris Island immediately after 9/11, the rapid deployment to Kuwait, and the push into Iraq as one of the first Marines on the ground.
With honesty and striking clarity, Angel describes the early days of the invasion, his role in processing prisoners of war, and the complex human realities he encountered—men who spoke multiple languages, carried unexpected stories, and revealed the tangled layers of a nation in collapse.
This episode is raw, reflective, and deeply human.
Angel’s courage, humor, and insight offer a powerful look at service, sacrifice, and the lasting impacts of war.
Part 2 continues the conversation. Don’t miss it.