StoryCorps
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Our mission is to preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compassionate world.
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.
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
05/22/2026
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 ➡️
Remembering Sgt. Aaron Xavier Wittman: He Had a ‘Heart of Gold’ Retired Army Major Duane Wittman remembers his son, Sgt. Aaron Xavier Wittman, who was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan in 2013.
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