On this episode of Our American Stories Fernando Arroyo knew exactly what he wanted to do after watching the September attacks unfold from his high school classroom Within weeks he enlisted in the U S Army and volunteered for the nd Airborne Division By Arroyo was fighting in Fallujah where his first combat mission ended with him killing an insurgent and confronting a question that would follow him home What kind of man had war made him After three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan Arroyo returned home carrying nightmares anger and a loss of purpose he couldn't escape Eventually [... more]

Angelo A.J. Pescudi, a Marine veteran and author of Dark Horse, shares his experiences in the Iraq War and the importance of democracy, leadership, and self-efficacy. He discusses the challenges of war, the need for clear objectives, and the importance of letting military leaders make decisions on the ground. [... more]

Fernando Arroyo, a US Army veteran, shares his story of combat experience, mental health struggles, and faith. He discusses his deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan, his experiences with PTSD, and how he found healing and purpose through his faith and work with veterans. [... more]

Fernando Arroyo's journey from a high school student watching 9-11 unfold to a US Army paratrooper in Iraq, where he faced trauma and loss, and eventually found healing and purpose through faith and helping others. [... more]

US Marine Corps Sergeant William Leonard recounts his experience during the second battle for Fallujah in Iraq, where he was wounded and saw several of his friends killed, including his recruiter and platoon sergeant. [... more]

Fernando Arroyo, a US Army Paratrooper, recounts his experiences in combat during the Iraq War, including his first kill and the horrors of war. He struggles to adjust to life after service, grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder and feelings of purposelessness, ultimately considering taking his own life before finding a new path. [... more]