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This episode highlights the greatest love letters written in times of war, from impassioned expressions of affection to “Dear John” (and even “Dear June”) letters that troops receive—male and female—from a sweetheart, spouse, or fiancé(e), informing the recipient that the relationship is over. Most of the letters in this podcast are upbea

This episode highlights the greatest love letters written in times of war, from impassioned expressions of affection to “Dear John” (and even “Dear June”) letters that troops receive—male and female—from a sweetheart, spouse, or fiancé(e), informing the recipient that the relationship is over. Most of the letters in this podcast are upbeat, amusing, and detail incredible relationships that were formed entirely by mail.

Often overlooked in times of war are the loved ones of the troops who have been sent overseas. This episode features letters by these women and men on the home front (and now we’re seeing more husbands sending their wives off to serve, while the men are back in the States). It can be the loneliest and most stressful post in any war, as th

Often overlooked in times of war are the loved ones of the troops who have been sent overseas. This episode features letters by these women and men on the home front (and now we’re seeing more husbands sending their wives off to serve, while the men are back in the States). It can be the loneliest and most stressful post in any war, as those left behind, including children, often spend every minute worrying if their loved ones will return alive and uninjured.

From the time of the War of Independence, women have placed themselves in harm’s way to protect and defend the United States of America. Some, like Deborah Sampson in the Revolution, dressed as men so that they could serve on the front lines. Many others, like Clara Barton, the “Angel of the Battlefield,” volunteered as nurses, risking th

From the time of the War of Independence, women have placed themselves in harm’s way to protect and defend the United States of America. Some, like Deborah Sampson in the Revolution, dressed as men so that they could serve on the front lines. Many others, like Clara Barton, the “Angel of the Battlefield,” volunteered as nurses, risking their lives by rushing to wounded troops under enemy fire. This episode will include letters by these extraordinary women. And, for the first time, the “Behind the Lines Podcast” will feature in-studio interviews with veterans, including Sandy Mitten who fought in Desert Storm and Donna Barbisch, a nurse during the Vietnam War who became one of this country’s first female major generals.

After the attacks on September 11, 2001, young American women and men enlisted in droves to serve their nation and fight terrorism at home and abroad. Even among those who might not have agreed with the wars they fought in, they demonstrated extraordinary courage, heroism, and resilience. In this episode, we hear the letters and emails th

After the attacks on September 11, 2001, young American women and men enlisted in droves to serve their nation and fight terrorism at home and abroad. Even among those who might not have agreed with the wars they fought in, they demonstrated extraordinary courage, heroism, and resilience. In this episode, we hear the letters and emails they wrote from Afghanistan and Iraq, correspondences that are as powerful, poignant, historic, and compelling as anything written during previous U.S. conflicts.

Combat forges strong bonds between troops, and the letters in this episode include letters between military personnel, expressing their pride and admiration for their comrades in arms, as well as troops writing about their fellow soldiers, Sailors, airmen, and Marines, to their loved ones. Some of these letters are inspiring accounts of c

Combat forges strong bonds between troops, and the letters in this episode include letters between military personnel, expressing their pride and admiration for their comrades in arms, as well as troops writing about their fellow soldiers, Sailors, airmen, and Marines, to their loved ones. Some of these letters are inspiring accounts of courageous acts by those who survived, while others are wrenching descriptions of how a beloved servicemember died.

With the exception of the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War II, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, many conflicts in which the U.S. has participated could be called “forgotten.” (And studies show that people who say they know a lot about the aforementioned “famous” wars, really don’t know the details…) The most forgotten include: 

With the exception of the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War II, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, many conflicts in which the U.S. has participated could be called “forgotten.” (And studies show that people who say they know a lot about the aforementioned “famous” wars, really don’t know the details…) The most forgotten include: the War of 1812, which was an extremely important conflict in which the British almost re-captured America; the Mexican-American War, which resulted in the U.S. growing almost one-third in size; the Spanish-American War; World War I, which established the United States as a growing international power; and Korea. This episode aims to surprise people with incredible letters from these conflicts and explain why, in fact, they should be better known.

Just as the previous episode concerns forgotten wars, this episode focuses exclusively on service members who, although some have received somewhat more attention in recent years, are still barely mentioned, if at all, in the history books. These individuals include women who served in all U.S. conflicts, but especially those who dressed 

Just as the previous episode concerns forgotten wars, this episode focuses exclusively on service members who, although some have received somewhat more attention in recent years, are still barely mentioned, if at all, in the history books. These individuals include women who served in all U.S. conflicts, but especially those who dressed up as men and fought in the American Revolution and the Civil War; African-American troops in all of our nation’s wars; Native Americans, especially “code talkers” in WWI and WWII; the Japanese-American 141st Regimental Combat Team, who were the sons of Japanese-Americans unfairly imprisoned in internment camps and still fought bravely for the U.S.; and other marginalized individuals and communities that deserve greater recognition.

Although levity isn’t often associated with warfare, troops and their loved ones have actually written countless letters (and now emails) that are very funny and show the lighter side of their experiences, beginning with boot camp and basic training and up to their time “in-country.” While this episode does not in any way minimalize the d

Although levity isn’t often associated with warfare, troops and their loved ones have actually written countless letters (and now emails) that are very funny and show the lighter side of their experiences, beginning with boot camp and basic training and up to their time “in-country.” While this episode does not in any way minimalize the dangers and hardships troops endure, it demonstrates their wit and sense of whimsy, their confidence to share self-deprecating moments, and their ability to craft amusing stories. These humorous correspondences enable the troops to cope with the stress of their deployment and also convey to their loved ones know that they are in good spirits.

All of the letters featured in this episode are not only extremely well written, they have been salvaged by total strangers who didn’t know the letter writers but didn’t want to see their letters lost to history and gave them to Andrew. These include letters found in dumpsters, on construction sites (usually when a building was being torn

All of the letters featured in this episode are not only extremely well written, they have been salvaged by total strangers who didn’t know the letter writers but didn’t want to see their letters lost to history and gave them to Andrew. These include letters found in dumpsters, on construction sites (usually when a building was being torn down), in homes (during renovations, and the letters were found under floor beds or tucked in attic crevices).