The Moth Radio Hour: Veterans' Day Special – Detailed Summary

Hosted by Sarah Austin Janess, this special episode of The Moth Radio Hour honors American veterans by sharing four poignant and powerful true stories from different eras of military service. Recorded live on Moth stages across the United States, each narrative delves into the personal experiences of veterans, capturing their struggles, triumphs, and enduring bonds formed in the crucible of war.

1. Mike Scotti: Battling Post-War Darkness (00:53 – 17:36)

Background:
Mike Scotti, a former U.S. Marine and veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, shares his harrowing experiences on the battlefield and the profound psychological impact of combat. Mike’s story is a raw exploration of the challenges soldiers face when transitioning back to civilian life.

Key Points:

• Combat Experiences: Mike details his role as an artillery forward observer, responsible for directing artillery fire on enemy positions. He vividly describes the destructive power of artillery shells and the devastating aftermath on the battlefield.

  "Each piece is very dense and heavy, like a crowbar, but jagged. And these things, when they blow up, the shrapnel covers an area the size of a football field." ([03:45])

• Emotional Toll: The constant exposure to death and violence leads Mike to a profound existential crisis. He recounts the traumatic memory of witnessing friendly fire accidentally hitting his own battalion.

  "I thought this all better be worth it because we've been fighting for months and we haven't found any weapons of mass destruction." ([15:00])

• Struggle with PTSD: Upon returning home, Mike grapples with intense grief and a loss of purpose, contemplating suicide as he searches for meaning in the deaths of his comrades.

• Path to Healing: A pivotal moment occurs when Mike watches a Marine Corps-produced video featuring a Navy psychiatrist. Her message, "It's okay to be angry. It's okay, Maureen, to be sad. It's okay if you're not okay," serves as a lifeline for him.

  "Vulnerability is the one thing that will allow you to survive. It will allow you to take those demons that are inside of you and drag them from the darkness out into the light." ([16:00])

Post-Story Interview:
Mike reflects on the deep camaraderie formed in the Marines, emphasizing the unbreakable bonds and mutual understanding among veterans.

"There is just a trust that's there. And even though you don't know that person that well, there's kind of a baseline level of appreciation for each other." ([16:43])

2. Dawn Seymour: A Trailblazer Among the WASPs (18:09 – 32:07)

Background:
Dawn Seymour, a 97-year-old World War II veteran, recounts her journey as one of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). As a pilot and military aircraft instructor, Dawn’s story highlights the challenges and triumphs of women in a predominantly male military environment during the war.

Key Points:

• Entry into Aviation: Initially opposing, Dawn agrees to participate in a pilot training experiment led by Dr. Richard Parmenter, marking her first flight in a Piper Cub.

  "The air was full of sunbeams... I was just overwhelmed with the beauty of it, the earth, the sky." ([20:35])

• Training and Tragedy: Graduates into the WASP program but faces heartbreak when her friend Peggy Sipe and fellow WASP Helen Joe Seberson die in an unexplained accident shortly before graduation.

  "There was no ceremony held, they just disappeared. And it was a heart-wrenching event." ([24:00])

• Combat Role: Assigned to Lockburn Army Air Base, Dawn describes the rigorous training and her first flight in a B17 Flying Fortress, encountering real wartime chaos, including mistaken artillery fire from U.S. forces.

  "The difference between life and death can be a few millimeters here or there, a few seconds..." ([14:30 in Mike’s story, but likely similar sentiment in Dawn’s])

• Post-War Recognition: Despite the disbandment of the WASP program in 1944, Dawn’s efforts contribute to the eventual recognition of female military pilots. In 2009, the WASPs were awarded Congressional Gold Medals.

Colonel Mitchell’s Letter:
Dawn reads a heartfelt letter from her former instructor, Colonel Logue Mitchell, advocating for the full recognition of WASP pilots.

"They are fellow military pilots and veterans in every respect. Anything short of full recognition of these women by our elected leaders will, by my standards, disgrace this nation." ([31:11])

Legacy:
Dawn Seymour passed away shortly after her 100th birthday, leaving behind a legacy that honors the 38 WASPs who lost their lives during the war.

3. Bill Krieger: The Impact of Deployment on Family Life (33:14 – 38:28)

Background:
Bill Krieger, a military police company commander deployed to Mosul, Iraq, shares the emotional strain of balancing his duty with family responsibilities, particularly his role as a father.

Key Points:

• Family Routines: Bill emphasizes the importance of nightly routines with his two daughters, McKenna and Caroline, highlighting the stability and comfort these rituals provide.

  "Every night since they've been very little, I tuck them in bed before I go to bed myself." ([33:14])

• Deployment Challenges: As a company commander, Bill struggles to maintain his family’s nightly routine despite the demands of active duty, attending critical meetings that interfere with his time with his children.

• Emotional Goodbye: The night before his deployment, his six-year-old daughter Caroline conveys a heartbreaking realization of the dangers he faces.

  "Because, Daddy, I want to burn you into my brain so that if you don't come home, I won't forget what you look like." ([36:10])

• Return and Reintegration: After 18 months, Bill returns home to his family and the re-establishment of routines, reflecting on the lessons learned about the significance of stability for both children and adults.

  "I learned that routines are very important for children. It gives them stability, it helps them through tough times, but they're also important for us adults." ([38:28])

4. William Cole: Navigating Segregation and Combat in WWII (39:07 – 50:37)

Background:
William Cole, a member of the 93rd Infantry Division, an all-black segregated unit during World War II, recounts his experiences battling both external enemies and internal racial prejudices.

Key Points:

• Military Segregation: William describes the segregated environment of Camp McCoy, Michigan, and the prevalent racial prejudices faced by African American soldiers.

  "They think that you're not fit to serve in the army because most of you are cotton pickers and farmers." ([43:00])

• Training Under 'Iron Jaw': Under the stern leadership of a black Army career man known as Iron Jaw, William and his fellow soldiers undergo rigorous training to become proficient in combat, despite societal doubts about their capabilities.

• Combat in Guadalcanal: William shares intense combat experiences in Guadalcanal, including close encounters with enemy forces and the meatiness of jungle warfare against Imperial Marines.

  "We went over there there was nothing there but split up, cut up and charred corpses. And that's the first time I had a close call." ([44:40])

• End of War: The abrupt announcement of Japan's surrender brings immense relief, but also a sense of anticlimax after enduring the horrors of war.

• Post-War Discrimination: Returning home, William faces racial discrimination when attempting to purchase a home, highlighting the stark contrast between his military service and civilian treatment.

  "They said, you people can't have a home here. We don't have, we'll find you a place but you can't buy here." ([49:00])

Post-Story Interview:
William expresses pride in his fellow soldiers and the 93rd Infantry Division's valor, lamenting the lack of recognition and understanding from the broader public.

"I was proud of them. They fought valiantly and they were glad to fight for the country." ([50:13])

Reunion with Family:
William shares the emotional moment of reuniting with his mother, who greeted him with overwhelming joy after his return from the war.

"She was just as happy as she could be, and she couldn't believe her eyes... it was joy that I was home, and so we just had a grand time after that." ([50:37])

Conclusion

Sarah Austin Janess wraps up the episode by acknowledging the bravery and sacrifices of all veterans featured in the stories. She invites listeners to share their own narratives, fostering a community of shared experiences and mutual understanding.

"The best pitches are developed for Moth shows all around the world. You can share these stories or others from the Moth Archive through our website." ([51:00])

Production Credits:
The episode is produced by Atlantic Public Media in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and presented by PRX. It features support from various sponsors and acknowledges the contributions of the production team, directors, and musicians.

Notable Quotes:

1. Mike Scotti (02:35):
   "Once all the politics have been stripped away, for those who are fighting it and those who are caught in the middle of it, war is nothing more than a slaughter."

2. Mike Scotti (16:23):
   "It's okay to be angry. It's okay, Maureen, to be sad. It's okay if you're not okay."

3. Dawn Seymour (20:35):
   "The air was full of sunbeams... I was just overwhelmed with the beauty of it, the earth, the sky."

4. Dawn Seymour (31:11):
   "Anything short of full recognition of these women by our elected leaders will, by my standards, disgrace this nation."

5. William Cole (43:00):
   "We have to make a liar out of them. We’re going to tell you how to use a rifle and how to use other instruments that are not rifles."

6. William Cole (44:40):
   "That's the first time I had a close call. I said that's the time that my mother must have been praying for me."

Final Thoughts:
This Veterans' Day Special of The Moth Radio Hour serves as a heartfelt tribute to the resilience, courage, and sacrifices of American veterans. Through personal narratives, the episode illuminates the multifaceted experiences of service members, emphasizing the enduring impact of war on individuals and their families.