Emmanuel Woods and Nvasekie Konneh
Recorded
July 16, 2024
41:39 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
ddv002718
Description
Friends Nvasekie Konneh (52) and Chaplain Emmanuel G Woods (53) have a conversation about serving in the Army as a chaplain, immigrating to the United States from Liberia, and the experiences they had as religious minorities in various contexts.Subject Log / Time Code
Emmanuel Woods (EW) remembers his upbringing in Liberia and how he entered the United States as a refugee after his father was killed in war.
EW remembers his father and the lessons he taught him.
EW talks about how he joined the armed forces as a chaplain and the concerns his family had.
EW talks about why he chose to join the Army in particular.
EW describes all the different religious leaders he trained with.
Nvasekie Konneh (NK) remembers his upbringing in Liberia and how he came to the United States through the diversity visa program. He also recalls how he was recruited to the military after seeing a poster on the street.
NK mentions that he served on the USS Detroit and USS Eisenhower, which is what brought him to Philadelphia.
EW remembers the first time he was deployed in Iraq and then later Afghanistan.
NK remembers meeting people from all over the world while deployed to Italy.
EW remembers returning to Liberia with family.
EW recalls some of his most fun memories going on marriage retreats with soldiers.
EW talks about what it was like to serve in predominantly Muslim countries as a Christian.
EW describes his role as a chaplain.
NK talks about his Navy friends he's reconnected with over Facebook.
Participants talk about the people they became closest to while serving.
EW remembers getting married in Dubai and starting his family in Missouri. He talks about how he and his wife support one another despite coming from different countries and denominations.
EW remembers a friend who was murdered.
NK describes what it was like to be a Muslin in the Navy.
Participants
- Emmanuel Woods
- Nvasekie Konneh