Connecticut U.S. Marine Michael Zacchea had a job to do in 2004: train and lead the first Iraqi Army battalion after the U.S. disbanded the country’s military post invasion.
This hour, we talk with Zacchea, whose new book The Ragged Edge details the challenges he faced leading a diverse group of Iraqis. Veteran journalist and co-author Ted Kemp will also join us to explain why Zacchea’s story intrigued him and how lessons from the Iraq War still matter today.
Plus, there’s a new bill this legislative session that would ensure state benefits for veterans with Other Than Honorable discharges — veterans who’ve been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain Injury.
We hear from the Connecticut veteran whose personal story is one of the driving forces behind the bill and we’ll talk with the legislator hoping to gather support for it in the General Assembly. Would you or a family member benefit from this type of legislation?
GUESTS:
- Michael Zacchea - Retired Lt. Col, U.S. Marine Corps, Co-author of The Ragged Edge: A U.S. Marine’s Account of Leading the Iraqi Army Fifth Battalion
- Ted Kemp - Senior Editor at CNBC, Co-author of The Ragged Edge: A U.S. Marine’s Account of Leading the Iraqi Army Fifth Battalion
- Thomas Burke - Former U.S. Marine, Student at Yale Divinity School, Associate Pastor in Westport, CT
- Stephen Harding - State Representative for Brookfield, Bethel, Danbury
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Chion Wolf contributed to this show.
