Voices of War

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Angel Filipov

Interview with my dad

http://www.zshare.net/audio/11649686ce9eca2d/

Throughout the course of this class i have learned a lot about the military. I have learned things that I did not even think i would ever pay attention to. The experiences during basic training, the diversity betweeen the male and female troops. I have also learned more about PTSD and just how hard it is for a soldier who is away at war, trained to be a killer, to come back and try to lead a normal life. Being assigned an interview with a veteran of your choice was an interesting project. I choose my veteran, Sergeant Juan Castillo to be part of an amazing experience, to have our interview be documented and preserved as part of history forever. Just being able to listen to my veteran and take in all of his experiences and feel as if I am part of something special. For the entire sixteen minutes, I was able to listen intently to what my veteran was saying and actually feel some of what my veteran has felt. The entire experience is one that i will never forget and the Voices of War class is also one that will be remembered.

VOW

During the course of this class, I have read and learned a great deal about the military. For example, the experience of basic training, social diversity of recruits, and treatment of returning soldiers, movies and documentaries that gave greater in sight of war and military deployment, and benefits of military service. My professors Vasquez and Paulino raised interesting questions and discussions on various issues. I gained a deeper understanding of military culture and political negligence of our veterans and soldiers.

My interview experience was a first and I appreciated the experience of documenting something that is historically important, a deeply personal and valuable story of a veteran of war and service member to his country. I have personally gained a different view of a controversial year in American politics and culture that will forever be in the pages of history.

Army Soldier

This is Omegar Velez,his reason for joining for the Army was to be patriotic after 9/11 attacks and to experience something new.He joined the Army at the age of 18.He enlisted for 8 years,4 active and 4 inactive.His training lasted for about 1 year,his basic training lasted for 9 weeks and his AI team for 10 months.He worked for the Delta Company 3/58 Aviation;he was part of the Communication and Electronics Unit or C&E within the company in which he fixed any communication or radars for the Air Traffic Control. He was stationed at Grafenwoehr,Germany just 45 minutes away from the major city of Nurberg.He was not in a combat zone but could of been called if any 4 members from that company serving in Iraq were injured.His discharged status was an Honorary discharge.

Donald Acosta Sr

My fathers survival knife

His knife and the case, but if you notice there is a name on the case. That was the name of the engine my dad worked on and was in charge of.

My Father Donald Acosta Sr

FC3 Michael Gehm

FC3 Michael Gehm and the Navy chorus

The USS Normandy (CG 60)'s Coat of Arms

In an interview, FC3 Michael Gehm stated his views on freedom and the importance of serving your country.
This excerpt can be heard at the following link:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/116218635441ddee/

While in the Navy, Michael Gehm served aboard the USS Normandy (CG 60) as a Fire Controlman Third Class during the Gulf War. This position put him in charge of computer systems, radars, communications systems, and weapons fire control systems.
To hear him discuss the most positive aspects of him being in the military, visit the link below.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/11624636441daa7a/

When asked why he decided to enlist in the Navy, he responded...

"Part of it was cause I wanted to get away from home, to see other places, you know, I never had really been that far away from home so that was part of the adventure part of it but it was also because we had a tradition." - Michael Gehm