Honoring Those Who Have Served

At WEDU PBS, one of our greatest privileges is sharing stories that honor the people and history of our community. It’s an honor to recognize the service and sacrifice of those who have defended our country and preserve their stories for future generations.

As the stepson of a career Master Chief Submariner in the U.S. Navy, I spent my childhood on military bases in Guam, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by military families.

Over the years, WEDU has proudly produced and supported local programs that honor veterans and document our region’s military history. In addition, PBS offers extensive national programming dedicated to the service, sacrifice, and history of our nation’s military.

Heroes from the Bay

Explore the unique World War II history surrounding the Tampa Bay area, including MacDill Air Force Base, the Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell, and Drew Field, which eventually became Tampa International Airport.

Watch

Last Full Measure of Devotion

This documentary honors Tampa native Sergeant First Class Paul Smith, who died defending his unit near Baghdad airport and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery.

Watch

The Vietnam War: Voices from the Bay

Focuses on those who fought, those who continued battling on the home front, and those who call it the most significant experience of their lives.

Watch

Veterans – The Telling Project

Six Florida veterans and one military spouse share their stories through a powerful stage performance, as they build friendships and revisit emotional memories over five months.

Watch

More recently, we’ve continued sharing profiles of local veterans like Michael Chavarria and Crystal Lewis, whose leadership has strengthened our community. Here is a closer look at their stories:

Michael Chavarria

After 25 years in the U.S. Air Force, Michael Chavarria traded one mission for another: supporting veterans, military families, and displaced communities through the American Red Cross. Hear his inspiring journey of service, purpose, and heart.

Watch

Crystal Lewis

From Air Force veteran to community leader, Crystal Lewis shares her journey of service, resilience, and purpose. Hear how her military experience shaped her path beyond the uniform and the people who made it unforgettable.

Watch

The Ghost Army

War, deception, art, and glory converge in “The Ghost Army,” a documentary about G.I.s who used rubber tanks, sound effects, and illusions to deceive the enemy in World War II, many later becoming influential figures in art, design, and fashion.

Watch

The War by Ken Burns

The War tells the story of World War II through personal accounts from men and women in four American towns, showing how the conflict affected every family and revealed that in extraordinary times, no life is ordinary.

Watch

VETS: Stories of Service

This series honors Southwest Florida veterans through interviews with local service members sharing powerful, often emotional experiences in the Armed Forces.

Watch

American Veteran

This series of clips explores the veteran experience across American history and the divide between civilian and military communities, offering a moving look into a culture many civilians rarely understand.

Watch