This week we’re going In the Trenches. We’ll dive to the bottom of Alaska’s ocean trenches and meet a doctor deep in the trenches of the Emergency Room. Plus, Alaskans recall their time at war — on land and in the sky. And we’ll hear from soldiers who have recently made the long journey home.
All that and more on AK, from APRN stations statewide, starting today.
Purple Hearts
On today’s show, we’re remembering those who lost their lives in war… and those who are returning from battle, like Army Specialists Bryan Roatch, Jeffrey Stepanenko and Keith Carter, who just received the Purple Heart at Fort Richardson. AK’s Ellen Lockyer brings us the story.
- Music Button: “Yankee Doodle” performed by Excelsior Brigade Fife and Drum Corps with Gary Owen from a live performance during the 2006 Hamlin Beach State Park re-creation
Young at Heart
World War II veteran Mike Hunt is 85 years old, but doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon. He owns and flies five planes; he even puts on his old army uniform every once in a while. AK’s Rebecca Sheir visited Hunt at his East Anchorage homestead, and tried to keep up with the flying octogenarian.
- Break: “Blue Skies” performed by Benny Goodman Orchestra from The Classic Years
Diving to the Trenches
The Alaska Aleutian Trench stretches from Alaska to Asia, about the distance from Seattle to Chicago. AK’s Scott
Burton spoke with researchers Dave Scholl and Michelle Ridgeway about this important spot for volcano, earthquake, oil, gas, marine biology and tidal wave studies.
In the Pit
When Kathy McCue was a medical resident, working shifts in the emergency room was referred to as being “In the Pit.” She’s been working as an ER doc in Anchorage for five years, and as she illustrates in this essay, some of those shifts are pretty tough.
- Music Button: “Theme” by Jon Brion from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Original Soundtrack
In the Trenches of the Law
For nearly four decades, Fred Adkerson has worked in the trenches of Alaska’s legal system as a bail bondsman. Len Anderson profiles this veteran of the courts.
300 Villages
Ouzinkie
Adak
- Break: “I Love You Truly” performed by Lawrence Welk from 22 All Time Favorite Waltzes
Letters from the Great War
Tim Pine’s grandfather fought in World War One. Tim always thought he knew him. Then he unearthed some of the letters he wrote from the war front, and discovered another side to his stern grandpa.
- Music Button: “Until I’m In Your Arms Again” performed by Wynton Marsalis From Ken Burns’: The War Soundtrack
10th Mountain Division
During World War Two, some of the highest casualty rates were experienced by the 10th Mountain Division. Katie Bausler speaks with some veterans of the skiing and climbing troops: Jack Culbreath, Tom Stewart and Sig Olson.
- Calendar of Events (“Star Eyes” performed by Stephane Grappelli from Verve Jazz Masters 11)
Music and the Park
Jamie Esler spends his summers in McCarthy-Kennecott, adding a little music to the park… and a little of the park to his music. Jeremy Pataky brings us this story about the singer-songwriter.
Your Comments & Letters
A semi-regular segment featuring your two cents about the show. To send in your comments and letters, email us at ak@aprn.org (Music: “Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me” played by John Pizzarelli from One Night With You – The John Pizzarelli Collection)
- Closing: “Happy Birthday” performed by Chamber Orchestra Kremlin & Misha Rachlevsky from Encore!
