StoryCorps

06/07/2026

In 1975, Tech. Sgt. Leonard Matlovich—known to friends as Mat—appeared on the cover of TIME magazine, challenging the military’s ban on gay service members. He was the first openly gay man to appear on the cover of a national publication. At StoryCorps, his friend, Jeff Dupre, remembers meeting Mat—and the quiet courage that led him to make history.

06/06/2026

Would you save a stranger's life if it meant risking your own? Would you keep caring for someone who doesn’t care about you? Would you love someone knowing it wouldn’t last? We went through our archive to find stories about how our crucibles can define us.

Listen to our latest episode of the here or wherever you get your podcasts ➡️

Would you save a stranger's life if it meant risking your own? Would you keep caring for someone who doesn’t care about you? Would you love someone...

06/05/2026

In the 1980s, Brad Jachna worked as a carpenter in Florida, alongside his good friend, Kip. While building a house one day they saw a toddler, Tom Copeland, fall into a nearby pond. More than 30 years later, Brad reunited with Tom at StoryCorps.

Our on NPR Morning Edition ➡️

More than 30 years after being rescued from drowning in a pond, Tom Copeland meets Brad Jachna, the man who saved him as a child.

06/05/2026

05/29/2026

Naomi “Nonie” Lynn, age 72, spent most of her life fighting for the rights of LGBTQ+ people like herself, but about 10 years ago she was diagnosed with agoraphobia—the fear of public places—and became homebound.

Several volunteers have been sent to help her but none worked out. Until last year, when U.S. Air Force veteran Mandy Lashay showed up and discovered they had a few things in common.

Our on NPR Morning Edition ➡️ https://storycor.ps/3PJHeQv

05/25/2026

Barry Romo was close in age to his nephew, Robert, known as Bobby. They shared a brother-like bond, and both came of age during the Vietnam War. Barry was commissioned in the Army, and Bobby was drafted. Only one of them came home. Barry recorded with our Military Voices Initiative to memorialize Bobby, who was killed in action in 1968.

05/24/2026

In 2005, Allen Hoe’s son, 1st Lt. infantry officer Nainoa K. Hoe, was killed in action in Iraq. Not long after, on Memorial Day, a chance encounter with a stranger brought Allen unforeseen comfort. He remembers this moment.

Listen to stories from our Military Voices Initiative reflecting on the bravery and sacrifice of service members this ➡️ https://storycor.ps/3Pzjn5W

05/23/2026

In the final battle of the Vietnam War—the Mayaguez Incident—three Marines were left behind on a remote island, and they were never heard from again. Cary Turner dedicated his life to finding out what happened to one of those men: his cousin, Lance Corporal Joseph Hargrove.

Listen to our latest episode of the ➡️

In the final battle of the Vietnam War— the Mayaguez Incident— three Marines were left behind on a remote island, and they were never heard from...

05/22/2026

At the Fort Stewart Army base in Hinesville, Georgia there’s a memorial called Warriors Walk—two rows of trees honoring fallen soldiers from the Third Infantry Division who were stationed there. Originally it was a grove of red bud trees, but today it’s all crepe myrtles.

One of those trees was planted in honor of Army Sgt Aaron Xavier Wittman, who came from a proud military family. His parents met while serving in the Army, and his two older siblings also joined the military. But on January 10, 2013 he was killed in action while deployed in Afghanistan.

His father, retired Army Major and Gold Star dad Duane Wittman, recorded with our Military Voices Initiative to remember one of his last conversations with his son before he deployed. Our on NPR Morning Edition ➡️

Retired Army Major Duane Wittman remembers his son, Sgt. Aaron Xavier Wittman, who was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan in 2013.