Colton, NY, Jun 07, 2013 — The Colton Museum will remember World War II history tonight with an evening of music and stories from the 1940's. Local historians collected remembrances from Colton veterans, and a group of actors from the Grasse River Players will offer period tunes and readings at the opening of a new Colton Museum exhibit about the 1940s.  Go to full article

May 28, 2013 — Memorial Day services were held across the North Country yesterday, with parades and prayers and wreath-layings.

"The freedoms we as Americans enjoy and cherish today have been safeguarded by men and women who gave their lives," said Governor Andrew Cuomo, in a statement released from Albany.

"Today, we also honor the military families who have lost loved ones, and send our heartfelt condolences to each of them."  Go to full article

May 06, 2013 — It's a busy time for Fort Drum, near Watertown. Even as the country prepares to leave Afghanistan, the Army post has parts of two brigades deployed. Its aviation unit is about to ship off for a nine-month tour. And the 10th Mountain Division is expecting more orders from the Pentagon soon.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, May 02, 2013 — The Sackets Harbor Vocal Arts Ensemble will pay tribute, through song, to the 272 Fort Drum soldiers who died in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last decade. The choir will perform its Remembering the Fallen concert on Sunday, 3 pm, at Trinity Espiscopal Church in Watertown. The concert will feature soloists Diana Gamet and Phillip Addis.

Todd Moe spoke with Richard Probert, director and founder of the choral group, about performing Brahm's "Requiem" and Vaughan Williams' "Dona, Nobis, Pacem." Probert says Vaughan Williams, a soldier in World War One, used the poetry of Walt Whitman.  Go to full article

Apr 02, 2013 — A new program from SUNY Oswego is looking to train people who work with Fort Drum's soldiers in the basics of mental health and counseling. It's starting with a course that's being taught right now at Fort Drum, "Trauma management and stewardship."

Fort Drum is home to the 10th Mountain Division, one of the most heavily deployed units in the US. When those soldiers return home from overseas, they can suffer from a range of physical and mental problems connected to their service, like post-traumatic stress disorder, mental issues associated with bodily injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.  Go to full article

Mar 22, 2013 — It's been 10 years since the beginning of the second Iraq War.

The war created a deep division in the country and here in the North Country, and fueled a passionate peace movement.  Go to full article

Westport, NY, Mar 22, 2013 — Over the last decade, one of the most prominent anti-war protesters and peace-and-justice activists in the North Country has been Martha Swan.

Swan, who lives in Westport, heads an organization called "John Brown Lives."

She sat down this week to talk about the ten-year anniversary of the Iraq War with Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Dec 14, 2012 — Fort Drum's 2nd Brigade Combat Team is getting ready for for a January deployment to eastern Afghanistan. The deployment marks a shift for troops, from combat to advising and assisting the Afghan security forces.  Go to full article

Paul Smiths, NY, Nov 14, 2012 — This week in recognition of Veterans Day, North Country Public Radio has been looking at the struggles of young veterans returning home from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Many have come back to a sour economy, with few good jobs. For veterans under the age of 25, unemployment still hovers around 30 percent.

One of most ambitious efforts to help service members restart their lives has been the post-9/11 GI Bill, which offers financial aid for those soldiers who want to go back to college or a trade school.  Go to full article

Paul Smiths, NY, Nov 13, 2012 — This week in honor of Veteran's Day, we're looking at the experience of young service members making the transition back to the civilian economy.

For generations, one path to the middle class has been military service. Spending time in uniform offered a way for poor and working class Americans to gain job skills and build their resumes.

But these days many young veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq are struggling with high unemployment, poverty and homelessness. At Paul Smiths College, young vets in a support group say they're worried that their wartime experience is actually making it harder for them to find good, stable jobs as they face discrimination from some employers.  Go to full article