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In this episode, we reflect on the significance of the military in American life and discuss what it’s like to serve in the armed forces during wartime. We spoke to Karl Marlantes, author and Vietnam War veteran, and Sean Davis, author and Iraq War veteran, about the experience of preparing for war, being at war, and coming back home to Oregon from war.

Content note: descriptions of violence throughout and ethnic slurs at the 17 minute mark.

Karl Marlantes is a writer and Vietnam War veteran who grew up in Seaside, Oregon, and now lives in rural Washington. He is the author of Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War, What It Is Like to Go to War, and Deep River.

Sean Davis is a writer, teacher, artist, and Iraq War veteran who lives in Astoria, Oregon. He used to lead the American Legion Post 134 in Northeast Portland, where he led a number of coming home programs for military veterans. He is the author of The Wax Bullet War. You can find his writing and art at seandaviswriter.com.

For a full transcript of this episode as well as additional resources and further reading, visit the Oregon Humanities website.

Jenna Deml
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