In his award-winning book of short stories, Surrender, Brian O’Hare delves into the complexities of the American hero myth and its impact on his own life. As the son of a larger-than-life Marine officer, O’Hare was drawn to the allure of military service, seeking to emulate his father’s legacy.

However, after witnessing the devastating effects of war on his father’s health, O’Hare began to question the validity of the hero myth. He realized that the idealized image of the American hero, often portrayed in Hollywood films and popular culture, was far removed from the realities of combat.

Brian O’Hare is a graduate of the US Naval Academy, former Marine Corps officer and Persian Gulf War veteran.  Currently, he’s an award-winning writer and filmmaker living in Los Angeles. His work has appeared in War, Literature and the Arts; Hobart,Electric Literature and others, and has been nominated for two Pushcart Prizes. Most recently, National Book Award winner Phil Klay awarded Brian Syracuse University Press’ 2021 Veterans Writing Award for Surrender.

Through his writing, O’Hare deconstructs the myth of the team captain and the Marine, exposing the flaws and vulnerabilities that lie beneath the surface. He explores the psychological toll that war takes on individuals, the sacrifices they make, and the lasting scars they bear.

O’Hare’s journey is a personal one, but it also resonates with a broader cultural shift. As society evolves, so too does our understanding of heroism. The traditional notions of masculinity and military prowess are being challenged, and new definitions of heroism are emerging.

In Surrender, O’Hare invites us to question our own assumptions about what it means to be a hero. He suggests that true heroism lies not in physical strength or military glory, but in the courage to face our own mortality, to embrace our imperfections, and to strive for a more just and compassionate world.

As O’Hare reflects on his father’s legacy and his own experiences, he grapples with the question of what he will pass on to his son. He recognizes that the American hero myth is a powerful force, but he also believes that it is essential to challenge its limitations and to create a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of heroism.

Through his writing, O’Hare hopes to inspire others to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery and to question the myths that shape our society. By demythologizing the American hero myth, he opens up the possibility for a more authentic and meaningful definition of heroism to emerge.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!

Ralph Galati shares the story of his harrowing experience as a prisoner of war (POW) during the Vietnam War.

Galati’s capture occurred during Operation Linebacker, an air campaign aimed at disrupting North Vietnamese supply lines and military infrastructure. On February 16, 1972, while on a mission, Galati’s F-4 Phantom II was struck by enemy fire. Ejecting from the aircraft, he and his fellow pilot, Bill Hill, were quickly captured by North Vietnamese forces. They were then transported to the infamous “Hanoi Hilton,” nickname of the Hoa Lo Prison.

The conditions at the Hanoi Hilton were severe, with prisoners subjected to physical and psychological torture, malnutrition, and isolation. Despite these conditions, Galati, like many of his fellow POWs, displayed remarkable resilience. The camaraderie among the prisoners was crucial to their survival, as they developed a covert communication system using taps and codes to maintain morale and share information. This support network helped them endure the harsh treatment and isolation imposed by their captors.

Galati’s faith and determination played a significant role in his ability to withstand the hardships of captivity. He has often spoken about how his belief in God and his love for his family gave him the strength to persevere. His experience as a POW also deepened his sense of duty and commitment to his fellow servicemen, inspiring him to become a strong advocate for veterans’ issues after his release.

After spending nearly 14 months in captivity, Ralph Galati was released on March 28, 1973, as part of Operation Homecoming, the repatriation of American POWs following the Paris Peace Accords. Upon returning to the United States, he transitioned from active duty to a role in the Air Force Reserves and later pursued a civilian career in business and education.

Galati has been an active voice in veteran communities, sharing his story to inspire and educate others about the realities of war and the resilience of the human spirit. He has worked extensively with organizations that support veterans and their families, emphasizing the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by servicemen and women. His story is not just one of survival but also of leadership and service, as he continues to dedicate his life to helping others, particularly those who have served in the military.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!

VBC Scuttlebutt welcomes bestselling author Kristin Hannah to talk about her wildy popular and well-reviewed novel The Women.

The book tells the story of Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young woman from a privileged California family who defies societal expectations to serve as an Army nurse during the Vietnam War. Frankie’s decision to enlist is driven by a sense of duty and a desire to prove herself, but she quickly learns that war is far more brutal and complex than she imagined.

In Vietnam, Frankie is thrust into a world of chaos, tending to wounded soldiers and witnessing the devastating effects of combat. The novel vividly portrays the harsh realities of war, including the physical and emotional toll it takes on both soldiers and those who care for them. Hannah doesn’t shy away from the trauma and loss that define Frankie’s experience, capturing the fear, exhaustion, and helplessness that pervade her days in the field.

Frankie’s return to the United States is marked by a profound sense of disillusionment. She comes home to a country that is deeply divided over the war, and instead of receiving recognition for her service, she faces indifference and hostility. The novel explores the stark contrast between the hero’s welcome expected by returning soldiers and the cold reception many Vietnam veterans actually received, particularly women. Frankie’s struggles with post-traumatic stress, guilt, and the overwhelming sense of isolation highlight the emotional burden carried by those who served.

As she tries to reintegrate into civilian life, Frankie finds herself alienated not only by society but also by her own family, who cannot understand what she has been through. The novel examines the psychological impact of war, particularly the way it haunts veterans long after they leave the battlefield. Frankie’s internal battle is as harrowing as the war itself, as she grapples with the memories of those she couldn’t save and the moral complexities of her actions.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!

VBC Scuttlebutt welcomes bestselling author Tony Swofford to talk about his iconic memoir, Jarhead: A Marine’s Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles.

The book is a raw and unflinching memoir that delves into the experiences of a Marine sniper during the First Gulf War. Swofford, who enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at a young age, offers a gritty, firsthand account of the psychological and emotional challenges faced by soldiers both on and off the battlefield.

The book begins with Swofford’s grueling training as a Marine, where he is shaped into a skilled sniper. The narrative is filled with vivid descriptions of the dehumanizing aspects of military life, where individuality is stripped away, and soldiers are conditioned to kill. Swofford doesn’t shy away from depicting the harsh realities of military culture, including the intense physical and mental pressures that lead to a profound sense of alienation and existential angst.

When Swofford and his unit are deployed to the Saudi Arabian desert during Operation Desert Storm, the anticipation of combat weighs heavily on the soldiers. However, much of their time is spent in a state of frustrating inactivity, enduring the boredom and psychological strain of waiting for a battle that never comes. The memoir captures the paradox of modern warfare, where the soldiers’ most significant battles are often fought within themselves rather than against the enemy.

Swofford’s account is deeply introspective, exploring his inner turmoil and disillusionment with the war. He reflects on the violence and destruction inherent in his role as a sniper, the moral ambiguity of war, and the impact of his service on his sense of identity. The book is not just a war memoir but also a meditation on the personal costs of being a soldier—the loss of innocence, the struggle with post-traumatic stress, and the difficulty of reintegrating into civilian life after experiencing the horrors of war.

Jarhead is notable for its stark, unromanticized portrayal of military life. Swofford’s writing is direct and honest, offering a sobering view of the emotional toll that war takes on those who fight it. His account challenges the glorified image of war often seen in popular culture, revealing the deep psychological scars left on soldiers.

In 2005, Jarhead was adapted into a Hollywood movie directed by Sam Mendes and starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Anthony “Swoff” Swofford. The film stays true to the tone and themes of the book, focusing on the boredom, frustration, and internal conflicts faced by Marines during the Gulf War. While the movie captures the desolate landscapes and the tension of waiting for combat, it also highlights the camaraderie and dark humor that soldiers use to cope with the psychological stress of war.

The film was well-received for its performances and cinematography, though some critics noted that it, like the book, is more of a character study than a traditional war movie. It emphasizes the psychological effects of war over action, making it a unique entry in the war film genre. Both the book and the movie offer a compelling look at the complexities of military life and the lasting impact of war on those who serve.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!

Glenn Flickinger, Colin Heaton, Greg Yoest, and Ken Kaszak mark the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden with a discussion about the failed attempt to hasten the end of the war by capturing key bridges in the Netherlands and advancing Allied forces into Germany.

Devised by British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, Market Garden was the largest airborne operation up to that point, involving tens of thousands of paratroopers and ground forces.

It had two main components: “Market” and “Garden.” The “Market” phase involved the airborne assault by three Allied airborne divisions—the U.S. 101st Airborne Division, the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division, and the British 1st Airborne Division, along with the Polish 1st Parachute Brigade. These forces were tasked with capturing and holding a series of bridges over major rivers and canals in the Netherlands, from Eindhoven to Arnhem. The goal was to secure these bridges to enable the ground forces of the British XXX Corps, advancing from Belgium, to push through to the north and ultimately cross the Rhine River.

The “Garden” phase was the ground operation, where the British XXX Corps, supported by tanks and artillery, would drive up a narrow corridor to link up with the airborne forces and secure the captured bridges.

Operation Market Garden began on September 17, 1944. The airborne landings were initially successful, with paratroopers securing several bridges. The 101st Airborne Division captured bridges near Eindhoven, and the 82nd Airborne Division secured the vital bridge at Nijmegen after heavy fighting. However, the operation faced significant challenges almost immediately.

One of the main issues was that the operation’s timetable was extremely tight, requiring the ground forces to advance quickly along a narrow, congested road, which was vulnerable to German counterattacks. The British XXX Corps encountered strong resistance from well-prepared German forces, including elite SS Panzer divisions, which slowed their advance.

The most critical failure occurred at Arnhem, where the British 1st Airborne Division, under Major General Roy Urquhart, was dropped too far from its objective—the bridge over the Rhine. The division faced unexpectedly strong German defenses, including two SS Panzer divisions, which had been refitting in the area. Despite initial success in capturing the northern end of the Arnhem bridge, the airborne forces were soon cut off and surrounded. After several days of intense fighting, the British forces at Arnhem were overwhelmed, and the survivors were forced to withdraw across the Rhine, suffering heavy casualties.

Operation Market Garden ultimately failed to achieve its primary objectives. The Allies succeeded in capturing several bridges, but they failed to secure the crucial bridge at Arnhem, which meant that the advance into Germany was stalled. The failure of the operation left the Allied forces with a vulnerable and exposed salient in enemy territory, which the Germans quickly exploited. The operation resulted in significant Allied casualties, particularly among the airborne troops, and it delayed the final push into Germany, prolonging the war in Europe.

Despite its failure, Operation Market Garden demonstrated the courage and determination of the Allied soldiers, who fought bravely against overwhelming odds. The operation is often cited as an example of the risks of overambitious planning and the importance of logistical and intelligence preparation in military operations.

The story of Operation Market Garden was famously chronicled in the book A Bridge Too Far by Cornelius Ryan, published in 1974. Ryan conducted extensive interviews with participants on both sides of the conflict to provide a detailed and comprehensive account of the operation. The book is known for its meticulous research and its focus on the human experiences of those involved, from the highest-ranking generals to the soldiers on the ground.

In 1977, A Bridge Too Far was adapted into a Hollywood film directed by Richard Attenborough. The movie featured an all-star cast, including Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Anthony Hopkins, and Robert Redford.

While A Bridge Too Far received mixed reviews, it remains one of the most well-known portrayals of World War II in popular culture. The film’s title, derived from a comment allegedly made by British Lieutenant-General Frederick “Boy” Browning, reflects the operation’s ultimate failure—suggesting that attempting to capture the Arnhem bridge was a step too far in an already risky plan.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!