With Memorial Day fast approaching, in this edition we’re taking a deep dive into stories of bravery. There are heroes all around us and so many ways to show courage. For instance, Japanese American journalist Leslie Nakashima was one of the first people to report on the devastation experienced in Hiroshima after the atomic bomb fell in 1945. Nakashima embodies fortitude in journalism through his reporting. Read on for more stories like this, and ponder the heroes in your life.
Yours in media,
Elizabeth He, Visual Communications Editor
This is a web edition of GBH's The Deep Dive, a weekly newsletter bringing you the best GBH has to offer.
Bravery & Courage
We’ll Meet Again: Heroes of 9/11
Join Ann Curry for dramatic reunions between people whose lives intersected on 9/11. Patrick searches for the stranger who comforted him after the disaster, and Tim hopes to thank the fellow chaplain who gave him the strength to carry on.
The Great American Read: Heroes
Examine books that feature heroic characters. Book lovers discuss why our favorite heroes are both complex and relatable.
Where I Became
Trace the incredible journey of women who left apartheid in South Africa to attend Smith College in Northampton, Mass.
John Lewis – Get in the Way
Here is a riveting portrait of John Lewis’ journey of courage, searing disappointments, and hard-won triumphs over the decades as he inspired others to stand up and get in the way.
The Hero Who Saved Children in Auschwitz
Survivors of Auschwitz recount the extraordinary bravery of Erno “Zvi” Spiegel, who risked his life to protect children from execution. How did he save them?
Stories from the Stage: Courage
When you take a stand with your resolve unwavering, that rapidly beating heart signals courage. Watch three stories, three interpretations of courage.
Remembering Military Heroes
American Anthems: Soldier on All Fours
Decorated veteran Jason Johnson’s Project K-9 Hero saves retired military and police dogs. Meet these furry and brave friends.
Heroines in the Storm: The War at Home
Take a look at how women kept the home fires burning during World War II, taking on new roles in manufacturing, playing professional baseball, and helping farmers who faced labour shortages.
Courage in Captivity: Three POWs’ Stories
Bill Paty landed in Normandy right before the D-Day Invasion. Frank Padgett parachuted into enemy territory during WWII and was held prisoner for eight months by the Japanese military. Jerry Coffee spent seven years as a prisoner of war. Three men recount their experiences.
Buffalo Soldiers Paved the Way
Reflect on the contributions and bravery of Black military personnel who served on the Western frontier in 1866.
We’ll Meet Again: Saved in Vietnam
An Army officer searches for the helicopter pilot who rescued him, while another soldier wants to reconnect with the surgeon who saved his leg from amputation.
Recipe of the Week
Bored by Burgers? Grill Pizza Instead with America’s Test Kitchen!
No need to turn on your oven for great homemade pizza. Grilling gurus over at America’s Test Kitchen perfectly engineered a pizza dough recipe that’s meant to be grilled. Perfect for backyard BBQs!
Our Everyday Heroes
- Discover the amazing places, cultures, and passions of children nationwide in America’s Awesome Kids!
- Americans consistently donate more of their time than citizens of any other country. PBS News Hour's Judy Woodruff explores why volunteering is a defining part of America’s identity.
- Here’s how one woman is helping women reclaim momentum during midlife change. Author and action coach Amy Goober explains how women can navigate major life transitions with intention and confidence.
- At SAME Café, Lidia Bastianich hosts volunteers for a beautiful meal that’s more than just food. Around the table, they discuss community and the power of giving – proving that connection begins at the table.
- As boys face rising loneliness, the program leader of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Mass. shares how the impact of youth mentoring often runs both ways.
Dive Into America 250
Abigail Adams Implored Her Husband to “Remember the Ladies”
While it’s been used as a rallying cry for women’s political rights and advocacy for suffrage, some historians say the true meaning of the phrase is more nuanced. What did she mean?
Off Topic
- Check out four hotspots to catch the best spring blooms around New England. Add these destinations to your day-trips list!
- Learn the true story of the great Boston cod-napping! Who stole the sacred codfish statue in the State House? GBH News’ Ian Coss finds out.
- What’s inside a hailstone? NOVA explores.
