Speaking of Faith® from American Public Media | Sacrifice and Reconciliation: A Memorial Day Special

Photo by Dick Swanson (swansonphotography.com)

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How can we understand the impulse to sacrifice so much in times of great need?

In remembering the legacy of four World War II chaplains — Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish — who went down together with their torpedoed ship in 1943, we speak with David Fox, nephew of one of the chaplains. We also hear interviews with surviving veterans and veterans of the German ship that torpedoed them. Finally, a conversation with author, poet, and Vietnam War veteran Bruce Weigl. His most recent book, The Circle of Hahn, chronicles the long personal journey he has made back to Vietnam and to the adoption of a beloved Vietnamese child. The paradox of his life as a writer, he says, is that the war ruined his life and gave him his voice.

Recommended Books

Archeology of the Circle: New and Selected Poems Bruce Weigl Publishing Group West, 1999 ISBN: 0802136079		The Circle of Hanh: A Memoir Bruce Weigl Publishing Group West, 2001 ISBN: 0802138055

Poems from Captured Documents Thanh T. Nguyen, Bruce Weigl (Editor) University of Massachusetts Press, 1994 ISBN: 0870239228		Song of Napalm Bruce Weigl Atlantic Monthly Press, 1991 ISBN: 0871134713

Music in the Program

Aaron Jay Kernis: Second Symphony, Musica Celestis, Invisible Mosaic III Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Hugh Wolff String Quartet No. 1 ("musica celestis") Argo 448 900-2		Aaron Jay Kernis: Air; Double Concerto; Lament & Prayer Minnesota Orchestra, conducted by David Zinman "Air for Violin" Argo 289 460 226-2

Perfidia Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra "Hip Hop" Laserlight 15 768		Stilling Time: Traditional Musics of Vietnam Selections by various artists Innova 112

The Music of Vietnam Selections by various artists Celestial Harmonies 13083-2