StoryCorps

John Zak hosts an hour-long special that honors those who have served. Listen to stories from Hawai‘i residents about their experiences in and with the military.

As a young man, Steven Jensen dedicated himself to helping others. He noticed that veterans returning from Vietnam were having difficulty with civilian life. These observations helped to inspire Jensen's desire to become a Navy chaplain.

Col. Jennifer Walker always wanted to be a doctor. The Army offered her the education she needed and the opportunities she sought to hone her skills as a physician. She and her husband, Chad Walker, discuss her distinguished 20-year career.

Michael Last was working and going to night school when the Army informed him that it had other plans for his future. During basic training, Michael discovered that nonconformity in any form was not an option, even on his day off.

Oʻahu infestations of little fire ants are on the upswing; Department of Education official optimistic about future initiatives; Big Island resident opens up about living with 'post-polio syndrome'; and a combat medical officer talks about life defined by Vietnam War experience

For many years, U.S. Rep. Ed Case has been a staunch advocate for veterans. He speaks with his friend and constituent Allen Hoe about Allen's experiences as a combat medical officer in the Army.

Carla Orellana, a Hawaiʻi Island mother who works with wounded warriors, confronted her deepest fears when her son was deployed to Afghanistan. She talks about what it was like learning that her son had been severely injured.

Friends Richard Ha and Alexey Katko discuss Richard's life and his time as a soldier in the Vietnam War. After dropping out of college, Richard was drafted into the military, where he discovered life-saving leadership skills in the jungles of Vietnam.

One of the participants was Hawaiʻi Island resident Helen Naho’opi’i, who served in the U.S. Army in the 1970s. She shared a personal story of how she continues to heal after being sexually assaulted while serving.

Oʻahu-native Kevin Kuroda shares the amazing story of how his uncle's 1940 Farrington High School class ring was lost in France during World War II — and returned to the Kuroda family just last month. The Conversation's Russell Subiono has the story.