A Soldier's Parent

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:00:00

Ahmed's Diary

The Iraqi government has fired nearly 1,300 police officers and soldiers who refused to engage with Shiite militias in Basra. The city has been the site of bloody infighting among Shiite factions for several days. In today's diary, Ahmed Abdullah (who is Sunni) talks about giving a ride home to a Shiite colleague, who was upset and embarrassed over the violence. But during the ride through Baghdad, both men realize that overcoming divisions is crucial to rebuilding a new Iraq.

Read more of Ahmed's Diary

A Soldier's Parent

Steve Wright

Many American soldiers who were deployed to Iraq during the "troop surge" are returning home this summer.

Steve Wright is the father of one of those soldiers. His son joined the military when he was 18 years old and soon after was deployed to Iraq. Steve doesn't support the war, so his son's decision hit a nerve. He wrestled publicly with his feelings in several newspaper columns.

Steve talks to Dick Gordon about why he decided to accept his son's dream to serve in the U.S. Army. He also shares the changes he's seen in his son—and himself—over the last 14 months.

Read Steve's newspaper columns (from March 2007 and January 2008) about sending his son off to war
Read why Steve says his columns struck a cord
Learn more about the Blue Star Mom group where Steve's an honorary member
Contact Steve

A Light Love Story

Charles and Sarah Lume - larger >>

Artist Charles Matson Lume and his fiancé decided to do something a little different when they got married. Sarah didn't want to become Mrs. Charles Matson, and Charles didn't want to hyphenate his last name. So they decided to create a new name altogether. Charles tells Dick how they chose the name Lume, and how adding the name has changed his artwork.

See some of Charles' artwork

Music heard in this story: Concerto for Oboe and Strings: II. Minuet & Musette performed by Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Celia Nicklin & Sir Neville Marriner for the album Masters of the Oboe

The Story from American Public Media - A Soldier's Parent

A Soldier's Parent

Ahmed's Diary

A Soldier's Parent

A Light Love Story