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Chat about life experiences

Service in Afghanistan Interview from family friend

part 2 of Max’s interview with Nana for his oral history class project at Duke.

Husband and wife, Johnny "John" Davis (79) and Rosie Phillips Davis (74), talk about John’s life, his military service, and becoming a physician’s assistant.

One Small Step conversation partners Larry King (39) and Taylor Stevenson (33) discuss growing up "privileged" versus "dirt floor poor," the role of the U.S. military, and struggles with substance abuse and depression.

Hello, my name is Khalida Qasmi, and I am 15 years old. I'm here with Majeedullah Hakeemzai who is 35 years old, and we are cousins, connected through a phone call. Majeed and I talked about his journey from primary...

I had the great opportunity to interview Ernest Soto-Cruz (age 54). Ernest is my father whom I am very proud of. Today we talked about his experience in the military and how it effect it in the long run.

I had a conversation about Mr. Shaw’s service in the Air Force Reserves from 2010 to today. We discussed his journey from JROTC in high school to boot camp and training during deployments. Mr. Shaw shared his insights on leadership...

I had a conversation with Sergeant Christie about his service in the Army and service in Kansas, Germany, Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. We discussed his initial experiences in boot camp and fond memories of working with his comrades. Sergeant Christie...

Colleagues Ahmad Khalid Noori (27) and Lyla Kohistany (44) share their parallel and contrasting experiences in the war in Afghanistan. They share what led them to join the Afghani and US Armies respectively, and what ultimately brought them to Virginia.

Proud Army BRAT and military community advocate Gracie Burgess (21) speaks with conversation partner Cole Johnston (26) about her childhood, an incident during deployment that led to her father's disability, her value of resilience, and her hopes for the future.

Chapin Montague (24) asks her conversation partner, Nikolaus "Nik" Guran (49), about his experiences and deployments in the military and his journey to seeking help and encouraging others to seek help for PTSD.

James Phelps [no age given] talks to his wife Cynthia Phelps (37) about his Air Force service and the circumstances that led to his medical retirement from the military. James reflects on his service in Afghanistan, his messages for his...

Spouses Scott Nelson (55) and Kristie Nelson (47) discuss his time in the Air Force. Scott started as an Air Force musician and later became an air communications specialist.

One Small Step Partners, Justin Cummins (32) and Brian Baker (66), talk about how the military touched each of their lives and affected their political perspectives.

Brian Rosa (43) talks with Jeb Backe (26) about Brian's military service and the changes post 9/11.

Mouna Abdelhamid (55) speaks with her daughter Jumana Ibrahim (20) about her childhood, their family, and the Palestinian diaspora.

Justin Spencer (33) is interviewed by his wife, Emily Spencer (32), about his experience serving in the US Army and his deployments in Afghanistan.

One Small Step partners Vanessa Schoon Smith (45) and Heather Brownlie (50) discuss the assumptions people make about them, political extremism drowning out moderatism, social media encouraging divisiveness, and their hopes for the future.

One Small Step partners Maria DeNovio (40) and Cory [No Name Given] (32) have a conversation where they exchange lived experiences and share moments in their careers that shaped their perspectives.

Carson Honeycutt (36) speaks with StoryCorps facilitator Jeb Backe (26) about his transition out of the military into civilian life. Carson recounts the challenges he faced in the first few years after ending his service in the Marine Corps and...

Friends Lara Gale (42) and Hanif Ahmadzai (40) discuss their work in Afghanistan, democracy, freedom, and tolerance.

James discussed his upbringing in a loving family and faith. His mom being a beacon of love and support. He also discussed his mom's cancer diagnosis. He discussed the sacred encounter he had with his mom, a conversation that changed...

Blake Curtis (74) and Ryan Wing (39), uncle and nephew respectively, talk about their road to the military and the experiences and lessons learned from service.

Crystal Geraldson, 45, discusses her experience in living in the middle east during the Persian Gulf War.