'America's Battalion' In Afghanistan : NPR Accessibility links

'America's Battalion' In Afghanistan The Marines of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment — known as "America's Battalion" — were deployed in Afghanistan from May to November 2009 as part of a surge of 21,000 troops ordered up by President Obama early in his term. NPR followed the Marines, and their families, during the deployment.

Lance Cpl. Josh Apsey (second from left) takes a minute for one last photo with his wife, Carolyn (second from right), and parents, Vicki and Tom, before heading back to Afghanistan. Courtesy of the family hide caption

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Newlywed Reflects On Return To War

Marine Sgt. Maj. Robert Breeden, at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan on June 12, 2009. Breeden is now home from Afghanistan and trying to stay busy. David Gilkey/NPR hide caption

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A Marine Home From War And Battling Boredom

"Sometimes there isn't a right answer," Chaplin Terry Roberts told the mourners during the service at Camp Lejeune. Jeff Janowski for NPR hide caption

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Safely Home, Marines Grieve For Their Fallen

Laughter, Tears And Kisses As Marines Come Home

A Marine Commander's Wife On Strains Of War

Lt. James Wende (right) with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment, keeps a watchful eye on his Marines while on patrol in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. David Gilkey/NPR hide caption

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Marines Reflect On Duty, Death In Afghanistan

Lt. James Wende, pictured on patrol in Helmand province, says he feels like a senior looking at the freshman class as he concludes his deployment in Afghanistan and hands over the territory to newly arrived Marines. David Gilkey/NPR hide caption

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Marines Welcome Replacements To The Afghan Fight

For Marine's Wife, A Tough Deployment At Home

Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson approaches Patrol Base Lakhari in southern Helmand province. David Gilkey/NPR hide caption

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Marines Seek To Tame Afghan 'Snake's Head'

Marines from an explosive ordnance disposal team detonate a homemade explosive device, which was discovered near a compound outside of their base. David Gilkey/NPR hide caption

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On The Hunt For Roadside Bombs In Afghanistan

Vicki and Tom Apsey speak to their son, Marine Lance Cpl. Josh Apsey, who is serving in southern Afghanistan. Catherine Welch for NPR hide caption

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Marine's Family Awaits Word From The War Zone

Volunteers Serve As Support For Marines' Parents

First Sgt. Derrick Mays stands beneath the company colors outside of a tent at Camp Leatherneck in June. An 18-year Marine Corps veteran, Mays says his wife, Marcia, has a way of tolerating the long deployments. David Gilkey/NPR hide caption

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Toll Of War: Broken Hearts, Marriages For Marines

U.S. Marines Fight In Challenging Afghan Terrain

Families Send Basics To Marines In Afghanistan

Mourning A Marine Killed In Afghanistan

Back From The Front Lines In Helmand Province

Taliban Use Guerrilla Tactics In Helmand Province

Marines Seek To Forge Bonds While Pursuing Taliban

Marines Keep Pressure On Taliban

Targets On Their Backs, Marines Enter Afghan Town

Families Of 'America's Battalion' Wait For News

Marines Press Hard Across Southern Afghanistan

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