We use cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. If you continue to use our site, you agree to the use of such cookies. For more info, see our privacy policy.
Skip to main content

Hi. We love you. Be our Life Partner.

Support the show to get ad-free listening, bonus content, and our new Greatest Hits Archive.

Learn more
This American Life Partners logo
00:00
00:00
  • Transcript
  • Share
This American Life
  • Life Partners
  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Follow Us
  • Life Partners
429
March 11, 2011

Will They Know Me Back Home?

Stories of people who've grown so accustomed to wartime that the lives they've left behind no longer make sense. Including a US battalion going home on leave after 15 months of deployment, and an Iraqi translator's story of life after the gig is up.

  • Download
    Control-click (or right-click) Tap and hold to download
  • Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Subscribe
  • Transcript
Major Brent Cummings of the 2-16. Photo credit: David Finkel.

Prologue

Show host Nancy Updike also hosts a radio movie night. Her pick? The 1946 classic The Best Years of Our Lives, because even though it¹s over 60 years old, it says something about war that's hard to deny, even today.

By

Nancy Updike
Act One

Act One

Ever wondered what you might do with 18 days of rest after serving 15 months in combat? Reporter David Finkel followed one group of soldiers in Iraq for 15 months, and reported all of it in his book The Good Soldiers. Here is our radio version of one of the chapters in his book, where we hear actors read aloud what soldiers and families of soldiers told David about their break. (21:42 min)

By

Michael Chernus
David Finkel

Song:

“Baby, Won't You Please Come Home” by Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Amy Levere
Act Two

Act Two

Last summer when Nancy Updike was reporting in Iraq, Sarah, an Iraqi woman in her 40s, was her interpreter. But it wasn't the first time Sarah had had that gig. Back in the height of the Iraq war, Sarah had found the career of a lifetime, or so she thought—translating for the US military. (26:22 min)

Sarah is still trying to get a visa to the US. The lawyers working on her case first read about her in this story that ran in the Los Angeles Times, written by Bureau Chief Ned Parker.

By

Nancy Updike

Song:

“I Wanna Be Free” by Evelyn Harlene & Casey Clark's Band

Related

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
302: Strangers in a Strange Land
Nov. 18, 2005

Act Two: Johnny Get Your Mouse

Lots of soldiers in Iraq are writing about their experiences online.
224: Middlemen
Oct. 25, 2002

Act Two: Stuck Inside Of Memphis

Sal Princiatta is a New York fireman whose unit lost a lot of men on September 11th.
280: In Country
Jan. 7, 2005

Act Two: Marine Life

Rob Miller is a first lieutenant in the Marine Corps commanding a weapons platoon in "Charlie Company" of the First Battalion, Eighth Marines.

Staff Recommendations

View all
732
Feb. 19, 2021

Secrets

Why we tell them, and what happens after we do.

261
Mar. 26, 2004

The Sanctity of Marriage

A generation of researchers has revolutionized the way we see marriage.

This American Life

This American Life is produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago and delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange.

  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Contact
  • Life Partners
  • Serial
  • S-Town
© 1995 - 2025 This American Life Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Subscribe

  • on Spotify
  • in Apple Podcasts

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email