Episode 9: Quirt Alerts and The Field Trip This week’s episode features two stories by Vietnam veteran Randy Harritan. They explore the intense relationship between military working dogs and their handlers, and a story of the moment a Vietnam Veteran received a true welcome home. Quirt Alerts by Randy Harritan, …
Continue Reading
The Virginia War Memorial Foundation and Firehouse Theatre Partner to Co-Produce War in Pieces, Four New One Act Plays This March, the Virginia War Memorial Foundation will present four one-act plays written by veterans and one spouse of a veteran, which will be professionally produced and performed by Richmond’s Firehouse …
Continue ReadingEpisode 8: Rosario and Bonne Année This week’s episode contains two works by Vietnam Veteran David Aldridge. His stories explore the difficulty of handling soldiers who resist orders, the haunting memories of war, and the fight for forgiveness that takes a lifetime. Rosario by David Aldridge, 2022 In November 1968, …
Continue ReadingEpisode 7: A Severe Clear Day and Who’s Laughing Now This week’s episode contains two works by Army Veteran June Forte written during the 2020 Mighty Pen Project class. She shares a story of heroism from the Pentagon on 9/11, and recounts the challenges women face in the Army and …
Continue ReadingEpisode 6: Dress Code and Disincanto This weeks’ episode, featuring “Dress Code” by Joe Maslanka and “Disincanto” by Daniel Barotti, considers the expectations one might have for their service in the Navy or Marine Corps, the peacetime reality they face, and the ways one might process the difference during and …
Continue ReadingEpisode 5: “Grief” and “Mythology Under the Mountain” This week’s episode features a story of a final act of mercy in Vietnam, from one soldier to another, and a poem exploring the internal struggle war can place on veterans. Grief by Ron Bland, 2022 We are flying high and fast …
Continue ReadingEpisode 4: Blue Devil 1 and Blue Devil 2 This week’s episode features harrowing recollections of combat, war, and the effect those experiences had later in life on Vietnam veteran Malik Hodari. Read the stories as originally written here on the blog. Blue Devil 1 by Malik Hodari, 2015 Jungle …
Continue ReadingEpisode 3: Witch 54 Flight and Packers This week’s episode features stories from two female veterans who were pioneers in their roles in the armed forces. “Witch 54 Flight” by Marcy Atwood and “Packers” by Beth Liechti examine the challenges faced by both women. One author reflects on the early …
Continue ReadingEpisode 2: Government Property & Hog Board This week’s episode of the Mighty Pen Podcast explores the complexities and challenges of life in the Marine Corps, oftentimes odd and humorous. Read Government Property and Hog Board, written by Joe Maslanka and performed by David Bridgewater as originally written here on …
Continue ReadingEpisode 1: The Salute & Quang Tri Rain This week’s episode of the Mighty Pen Podcast includes a story of a young soldier accompanying a fallen man to his hometown, and a recollection on the way memories affect veterans after their service. Read The Salute and Quang Tri Rain, written …
Continue Reading
