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Veterans

Speaking Grief Documentary & Resources On-Demand

Moving away from the idea that grief is a problem that needs to be “fixed,” Speaking Grief validates the experience of grievers and guides those wishing to support them. See the on-demand film and extensive resources for exploring the topic of grief.

Speaking Grief explores why the pain of losing a loved one can be so difficult to understand and discuss. The film interviews grieving families from across the U.S., whose losses range from stillbirth to suicide, to address common misconceptions about grief. Through candid personal stories and conversations with experts in the grief field, the film also presents ideas for how family and friends can better support each other through loss.

There is no “right” way to grieve. By sharing diverse representations of bereavement, Speaking Grief illustrates that grief is a universal, yet individual experience.

Watch the documentary on-demand: https://www.speakinggrief.org/documentary

Funding for Speaking Grief is provided by a grant from WPSU Penn State and The New York Life Foundation

Related Resources:

  • Speaking Grief Documentary:
    • Available to view online: https://www.speakinggrief.org/documentary
    • Speaking Grief also has a great “Resources” section: https://www.speakinggrief.org/get-better-at-grief
  • Sesame Street in Communities Tough Topics resources (for young children and families) Discussing Tough Topics including grief, trauma, health, offering comfort and more. 
  • Sesame Street for Military Families: https://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/
  • Institute for Nonviolence offers Grief Cafes: https://gandhiinstitute.org/workshops-trainings

American Veteran: Unforgettable Stories Podcast Series

American Veteran: Unforgettable Stories is a ten-part podcast series tracing the veteran experience through individual stories. 

Each episode of the podcast revolves around the direct testimony of a single veteran – from a Coast Guard gunner’s mate who manned a landing craft at Omaha Beach on D-Day, to an Army cook in Iraq who became the first Black American woman held as a POW; from an Army nurse in Vietnam who struggled to do her part, to a satellite technician who served as a gay man during the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell era.  This collection of riveting first person stories provides a compelling portrait of the veteran experience over multiple generations.  

The series is hosted by Phil Klay, a Marine Corps veteran featured in the “American Veteran” television series and author of the National Book Award-winning collection of short stories, “Redeployment.” It was produced and released October-December 2021

LISTEN HERE: “American Veteran: Unforgettable Stories” drops on Tuesdays, October 19 – December 14. Published by PRX, the series is available free to listeners across all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Amazon Music, and on the American Veteran podcast site. 

Scheduled Podcasts: 

  • Episode 1 : “That Day” featuring Shoshana Johnson
  • Episode 2: “She Never Knew” featuring Frank DeVita
  • Episode 3: “My Boys” featuring Edie Meeks
  • Episode 4: “My Double Life” featuring Brandon Anderson
  • Episode 5: “It Was Just Too Exciting” featuring Edward Field
  • Episode 6: “The Reaper” featuring Nick Irving
  • Episode 7: “No, I’m Not Good” featuring Clifton Hicks
  • Episode 8: “The Shadow Side” featuring CJ Scarlet
  • Episode 9: “Get Me Airborne” featuring Harold Brown


Veterans Day on Connections Podcast

 

Listen to the conversation from Connections with Evan Dawson for two shows featuring on veterans for Veterans Day 2021. First hour: Transitioning back to civilian life  and second hour remembering 1983 Beirut Bombing. Listen On-Demand to the Archive Below

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Listen to the Archive: First hour when members of the military leave active duty, they may face challenges re-entering civilian life. We talk about Operation Green Light, a program geared at easing that transition. Our guests:

  • Jason Skinner, U.S. Army veteran, and director of Livingston County Veterans Services
  • Mike Eastman, Brigadier General (ret), and executive director of the ETS Sponsorship Program

Listen to the Archive: Then in our second hour, a 1983 bombing in Beirut took the lives of more than 240 U.S. service members, including local Marines. We sit down with a one of the survivors. Our guests:

  • Mike Zawacki, Beirut Marine veteran 
  • Hicham Bou-Nassif, associate professor of government at Claremont McKenna College 


American Veteran: Keep It Close On-Demand

 

American Veteran: Keep It Close is a docuseries from PBS that tells the stories of veterans and the special objects they carried during deployment and beyond. These objects, ranging from a puppy to a vial of lip gloss, have provided everyday comfort and hope to the veterans — and offer civilians a window into the veteran experience. Although the stories are unique to the individual veterans and their military service, the concept of mementos and the emotions they can generate are universal. The American Veteran: Keep it Close digital series is on PBS’ Voices YouTube channel. Learn more at the series website

Watch On-Demand: Playlist from PBS Voices YouTube Channel:


The Next Mission On-Demand

 

Three veterans set off on a road trip to discover their purpose in the civilian world.

Roadtrip Nation: The Next Mission, shares stories presented prove there’s no one way to handle transition—each veteran has a different background and set of challenges. But they all share a common hurdle: after spending their lives defined by their military identity, they wonder who they’ll be when the uniform is gone. Helen Chandler has been in or around the military her whole life—she was literally born in an Army helicopter. But now that she has retired from her military career, she’s struggling to find an identity that doesn’t revolve around being a soldier. Army veteran Sam Shockley had everything stripped from him in an instant when he lost his legs to an explosive device during a tour of Afghanistan. But after trudging through post-traumatic depression, he feels he’s finally ready to take hold of his life and find a passion that will push him forward. Bernard Edwards has already figured out what his passion is—helping his fellow veterans transition out of financial and mental woes. Now he’s ready to execute his vision, and seeks to connect with other altruistic veterans like himself. From interviews with fitness entrepreneur Derek Weida, to skincare line founder Nicole Baldwin, author and businessman Robert Kiyosaki, and many more, the road-trippers discover that the skills cultivated in the military aren’t relegated to the battlefield; they can be translated to any number of exciting jobs.

Watch  Next Mission: On-Demand

More Roadtrip Nation Specials

Veterans Coming Home: Careers On-Demand

 

Watch On-Demand VETERANS COMING HOME: CAREERS showcases veterans finding new career paths and adapting to the civilian work world. From Local USA. Many discover that the skills they learned in the military can help them. Stories include the successes and stumbling blocks of a post-military career, and how a former Rear Admiral is using her leadership skills to save her community from rising waters.


    Remembering Pearl Harbor Electronic Field Trip On-Demand

    In the WYES and The National WWII Museum Electronic Field Trip geared to grades 5-8, REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR—HOW STUDENTS LIKE YOU EXPERIENCED THE DAY OF INFAMY, student reporters hear first hand from eyewitnesses who were 11-20 years of age during the time of the surprise attacks. Also sharing their stories are military survivors who were at Pearl Harbor during the attacks. These recollections will bring the experience to life and serve as an excellent primary source in teaching students.

    Students Julia Bresnan from Hawaii and Eliana de Las Casas (2016 winner of “Chopped Teen” on the Food Network) report from The National WWII Museum in New Orleans as well as on location in Hawaii.

    The video is is approximately 50 minutes in length.  Additional Resources from WYES

    Sensitive: This resource contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Teachers should exercise discretion in evaluating whether this resource is suitable for their class.

    Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage

    Veterans Connections

    WXXI’s Veterans Connections initiative is designed to help bridge military and veteran needs with community support and awareness.  Through special TV, radio and online programming, documentary films, news features, and web features, Veterans Connections works to create a community platform to raise awareness and connect veterans with valuable resources.

    Veterans Coming Home: Careers Pictured A Women Veteran in an office

    Veterans Coming Home: Careers On-Demand

    Learn More
    Remember Pearl Harbor: How Students Like Your Experienced the Day of Infamy

    Remembering Pearl Harbor Electronic Field Trip On-Demand

    Learn More
    Photos of headphones and CJ Scarlet, holding a framed photo of her in military service

    American Veteran: Unforgettable Stories Podcast Series

    Learn More
    Connections with Evan Dawson

    Veterans Day on Connections Podcast

    Learn More
    American Veteran Keep It Close [Picture 20 veterans today holding portraits of themselves in military uniforms]

    American Veteran: Keep It Close On-Demand

    Learn More
    The Next Mission with scene looking at the horizon

    The Next Mission On-Demand

    Learn More

    War Letters

    WXXI Productions
    Learn More
    Speaking Grief Photo of young person and dog walking down the beach

    Speaking Grief Documentary & Resources On-Demand

    Learn More
    The People's Protectors

    The People’s Protectors: On-Demand

    Learn More
    Veteran sitting in the park with his dog

    Veterans Coming Home: Health On-Demand

    Learn More
    On Two Fronts: Latinos and Vietnam

    On Two Fronts: Latinos & Vietnam On-Demand

    Learn More
    They Were Our Fathers

    They Were Our Fathers On-Demand

    Learn More
    Military Boots with American Flag in the Background

    NPR Veterans’ Coverage On-Demand

    Learn More
    StoryCorps Military Voices Initiative

    StoryCorps Military Voices Initiative On-Demand

    Learn More
    In Their Words: Songwriting with Soldiers

    In Their Words: Songwriting with Soldiers On-Demand

    Learn More
    Connections with Evan Dawson

    Vietnam War Conversations from Connections Podcast

    Learn More
    American War Stories Vietnam

    American War Stories: Vietnam On-Demand

    Learn More
    Canine and Soldier

    Canine Soldier: The Militarization of Love On-Demand

    Learn More
    Fighting on Both Fronts: The Story of the 370th

    Fighting on Both Fronts: The Story of the 370th On-Demand

    Learn More
    Four Four Two F Company at War

    Four-Four-Two, F Company at War On-Demand

    Learn More
    Walking in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Rochester, NY

    Historic Tour of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Highland Park On-Demand

    Learn More
    Soldier Getting on A Bus

    Legacies of War: Coming Home On-Demand

    Learn More
    Legacies of War Vietnam

    Legacies of War: Vietnam On-Demand

    Learn More
    Warrior Tradition

    Warrior Tradition On-Demand

    Learn More
    2014 USA Paralympic Sled Hockey Team featured in PBS Documentary "Ice Warriors: USA Sled Hockey"

    Ice Warriors: U.S. Sled Hockey On-Demand

    Learn More
    Sands of War

    Sands of War On-Demand

    Learn More
    Women Serving in War

    Women Serving in War On-Demand

    Learn More
    PBS LearningMedia

    Veterans Connections PBS LearningMedia Collections & Military Families Resources

    Learn More
    Connections with Evan Dawson

    Local WWII Veterans Share Their Experiences on Connections Podcast

    Learn More
    Operation Babylift in April 1975

    Operation Babylift Anniversary Conversation from Connections Podcast

    Learn More

    Local Stories from Vietnam War & the Homefront on Connections Podcast

    Learn More
    A Gathering of Heros

    A Gathering of Heroes On-Demand

    Learn More
    Lest We Forget: A Survivor's Story

    Lest We Forget: A Survivor’s Story On-Demand

    Learn More
    Losing Iraq

    Losing Iraq: On-Demand

    Learn More
    Not Yet Begun To Fight

    Not Yet Begun to Fight On-Demand

    Learn More
    Veteran and Their Child

    PTSD and Mental Illness – After War and Right of Mind On-Demand

    Learn More
    Resources

    Veterans Crisis Line

    The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring VA responders through a confidential, toll-free hotline, online chat, and text-messaging service. Call 1-800-273-8255 or Text 838255

    Blinded Veterans Association

    Blinded veterans helping blinded veterans through service programs, regional groups, resources, and advocacy before the legislative and executive branches of government

    Canandaigua VA Finger Lakes Health Care

    Serves and honors the men and women who are America’s veterans

    CompeerCORPS

    Community support for returning vets with PTSD

    CompeerCorps: Veterans Helping Veterans

    CompeerCORPS is a program of Compeer  Rochester that employs the power of friendship  to help Veterans support one another.

    Disabled American Vets

    Empowes disabled veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity

    Equicenter Veterans Programs

    EquiCenter offers a variety of programs to veterans and seeks to create a welcoming community for individuals to achieve relief from some of their wounds, both seen and unseen. 

    Honor Flight Rochester

    Flies heroes to Washington, DC to visit and reflect together at their memorials.

    Livingston County Veterans Service Agency (Mount Morris, NY)

    Provides entitlement information and advocacy assistance to military personnel, veterans and their dependents in matters relating to veterans’ law

    Military History Society of Rochester

    A not-for-profit historical society whose collection and library includes artifacts and material from all eras of the military history of the United States.

    Monroe Community College – Veterans Services

    Helps veterans through the traditional college processes as well as provides a comprehensive overview of VA educational benefits.

    Monroe County American Legion

    Increases the popularity of their common interests within the community.

    Monroe County Veterans of Foreign Wars

    Fosters camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts; Serves and advocates on behalf of all veterans.

    Monroe County Veterans Service Agency

    Educates, represents, and guides veterans and their families regarding the benefits they have earned

    Nazareth College – Veterans Affairs

    Offers support that includes: financial, career, social, physical health, mental health, disabilities.

    New York Regional Blinded Veterans Association

    Promotes the welfare of blinded veterans through service programs, groups and benefits.

    Ontario County Veterans Services

    Assists Ontario County’s veterans and their families to identify and apply for benefits

    Orleans County Veteran Services

    Makes application for and represents veterans, their dependents, widows and orphans for various benefits

    Oswego County Veterans Service Agency

    Provides assistance to veterans, dependents, and family members on veteran’s benefits

    Penn Yan New York Veterans Service Center (Yates County, NY)

    Insures that all veterans and their dependents have access to all benefits to which they may be eligible

    Rochester Blue Star Mothers

    The Blue Star Mothers of America is a Congressionally-chartered, non-partisan, not-for-profit organization formed for the purpose of supporting America’s military, veterans, and their families, and to foster patriotism.  The Rochester, New York Blue Star Mothers Chapter 8 was founded on April 16, 2011.

    Rochester VA Outpatient Clinic

    Provides Medical Treatment

    Rochester Vet Center

    Offers free readjustment counseling services for veterans who recently or previously served in the U.S. Armed Forces

    Rochester Veterans Writing Group

    Engages veterans and their family members in writing their stories as a part of the American military experience.

    Seneca County Veterans Service Agency

    Provides assistance and support to veterans and their families through the pursuance of veteran’s benefits and referrals to other agencies for possible assistance.

    Sesame Street for Military Families

    Resources and tools for military families to use address everyday challenges with young children (English/Espanol)

    The Moral Injury Project at Syracuse University

    A collaborative of students, staff, and faculty working to address and raise awareness about moral injury.

    VA Rural Mobile Tele-health Care Unit

    Allows Veterans to take advantage of receiving quality health care services closer to home.

    Veterans of Foreign Wars

    Fosters camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. Serves and advocates on behalf of all veterans.

    Veterans Outreach Center

    Provides comprehensive resources to current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.

    Veterans Service Agencies (by county)

    Veterans Service Agencies provide comprehensive resources to current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families through direct service, community collaboration, and advocacy.

    Veterans Service Agency (Genesee County, NY)

    Educates, represents, and guides veterans and their families about the benefits and services they have earned

    Veterans Connect: (Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce) Veterans Connect focuses on linking transitioning Soldiers to employment, housing, and related services in Greater Rochester through a sustained effort that emphasizes employer engagement connectivity, relocation support, and family assistance. 

    Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 20

    Maintains a strong, united voice for resolving issues of vital importance to all Vietnam-era veterans

    Warrior Salute

    Helps veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury and/or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and their families, regain their lives as happy and productive members of our community

    Wayne County Veterans Services

    Provides in depth counseling and follow-up service on all benefits claims for veterans, their dependents and children.

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