In this episode, Heriberto "Eddie" Arambula, PhD, recounts his military journey and the profound impact it had on his life. Enlisting in the US Army in 2002, Eddie was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and deployed to Iraq in 2004, where he experienced intense combat. He was part of the unit featured in the National Geographic series "The Long Road Home,", https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1210820/ based on Martha Raddatz's acclaimed book, https://www.amazon.com/Long-Road-Home-Story-Family/dp/B0016493S4
Eddie reflects on the challenges and transformations he faced, particularly during the 48 hour battle in Sadr City on April 4, 2004.
Eddie emphasizes the importance of storytelling and sharing experiences to help veterans heal and find support. He discusses the significance of connecting with other veterans and Gold Star families, overcoming fears and barriers, and finding support through therapy and education. Eddie highlights the need for inclusive spaces in higher education for veterans and the role of community engagement in a successful transition.
The conversation explores how acknowledging and taking action on personal situations can help achieve goals. It also underscores the power of storytelling in addressing mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and social well-being. Eddie shares insights on his current projects, including a book compiling stories from USC alumni and a journal for veteran students, concluding with a powerful message about the importance of community and sharing stories.
Chapters
00:00- Introduction and Setting the Stage
03:01- Eddie Arambula's Military Journey: From Enlistment to Deployment
08:00- The Intense Combat Experience: Eddie Arambula's Deployment to Iraq
11:52- The Long Road Home: The Power of Storytelling
24:26- Healing and Connecting with Veterans and Gold Star Families
31:19- Overcoming Fears and Barriers in the Healing Journey
35:09- The Need for Inclusive Spaces in Higher Education for Veterans
39:23- The Power of Storytelling in Bridging the Gap
46:20- Community Engagement: A Key to Successful Transition
53:07- Acknowledge to Action
55:29- Addressing Mental, Emotional, Physical, Spiritual, and Social Well-being
57:28- Current Projects and Future Plans
59:42- Owning and Sharing Your Story
01:07:45- The Power of Community and Engagement
01:09:28- Leaning on Community and Sharing Stories
01:11:14- Moving Forward as a Community
01:17:34- The Power of Community and Keeping Veterans Alive
01:21:01- Who's Next?
