Home The Call to Serve: Stories of Sacrifice, War and the Way Home
The Call to Serve: Stories of Sacrifice, War and the Way Home


The ripple effects of war are intense and wide-ranging, impacting soldiers, medical personnel, family members and refugees. The experience forever changes the shape of their lives. For decades, Twin Cities PBS has been committed to sharing the stories of Minnesotans who heeded the “call to serve.” This collection is generously funded by the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation.


The ripple effects of war are intense and wide-ranging, impacting soldiers, medical personnel, family members and refugees. The experience forever changes the shape of their lives. For decades, Twin Cities PBS has been committed to sharing the stories of Minnesotans who heeded the “call to serve.” This collection is generously funded by the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation.


Planting Seeds of Hope for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness
"I tried to kill myself for 30 years."
That's what Doran Hocker told Michelle Obama when he relayed his story to her. In 2014, the...
The Transformative Power of Music
Charlie Blanchard has spent over 16 years of his life with Parkinson's Disease. After 7 years of care taking, Charlie and his wife, Joan,...
Healing War Wounds Through Conversations
Every day of the week, Al Donaby exercises to keep his muscles from stiffening, though it can be exhausting. Physical therapy, walking - all...
“The War Changed Me”
Duane “Doc” Wanna comes from a long line of military veterans. After some time at the University of Minnesota and at a few jobs,...
The Loneliness of Deployment
A weathered, six-foot long paper chain drags across the carpet, marking the days that Dave has been gone. Every day, Suzi, Drew, Kimmy, and...
Arthur Owen on Raising the Flag
Arthur Owen, who died suddenly in 2018, was surrounded by strong military men as a child, learning young about service and honor. As a...
Meet The Marine Corps First Female Native Mechanic
Valerie Barber, who would become the Marine Corps first female native mechanic, was considered an experiment at the time that she was enrolled in...
A Vietnam War Diary Brings a Fallen Soldier and Father Back...
Sitting at my desk one Thursday afternoon, I was knocked off balance when the Billy Joel song “Goodnight Saigon” suddenly came on the podcast...
The answer may have been “Blowin in the Wind.” But it...
St. Croix Falls, Wis., resident Jim Bodoh describes himself as “just a good ole country boy,” whose background in farming, hunting and fishing could...
Wonder what it’s like for the family of a deployed soldier?
To set the stage: This deployment was not like my other experiences - but then, no two deployments are ever the same. At least...