There are 8 podcast episodes that are devoted to stories connected to The Duty to Remember. All are below. The podcasts are episodes of "The Virtues of Peace," an initiative of The Cora di Brazzà Foundation. To learn more click the banner to the left. Subscribe at your favorite podcast provider below.
Episode 17: The Duty to Remember: Considering Prisoners of War and The Missing in Action (POW/MIA) as a Case Study in the Ethics of Memory (September 24, 2020)
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The Duty to Remember: Considering Prisoners of War and The Missing in Action (POW/MIA) as a Case Study in the Ethics of Memory
In his book “The Ethics of Memory”(Harvard 2004) philosopher Avishai Margalit argues that although we have a duty to remember others, the nature of those duties shifts depending on our specific relationship to “the other”. We have a duty to remember friends and family, but that duty is weaker and even non-existent if the other is a stranger. In today’s show, we use the issue of Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) to reflect on Margalit’s theory and other moral questions connected to our duties to the Missing, to the dead, and to their families. The familiar POW/MIA flag (created during the Vietnam War) states “You are Not Forgotten,” betokening a moral duty to remember. September 18, 2020 was National POW/MIA Recognition Day and this show is the first in a series in which we engage in an extended discussion of Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) and their families. Joining us is documentary filmmaker Keyvn Settle who has done extensive research on the POW/MIA issue and has recently made a moving film, Fruits of Peace, that includes the story of how the Vietnam War helped shape our Duty to Remember.
In his book “The Ethics of Memory”(Harvard 2004) philosopher Avishai Margalit argues that although we have a duty to remember others, the nature of those duties shifts depending on our specific relationship to “the other”. We have a duty to remember friends and family, but that duty is weaker and even non-existent if the other is a stranger. In today’s show, we use the issue of Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) to reflect on Margalit’s theory and other moral questions connected to our duties to the Missing, to the dead, and to their families. The familiar POW/MIA flag (created during the Vietnam War) states “You are Not Forgotten,” betokening a moral duty to remember. September 18, 2020 was National POW/MIA Recognition Day and this show is the first in a series in which we engage in an extended discussion of Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) and their families. Joining us is documentary filmmaker Keyvn Settle who has done extensive research on the POW/MIA issue and has recently made a moving film, Fruits of Peace, that includes the story of how the Vietnam War helped shape our Duty to Remember.
Click here for show resources.
1. Avishai Margalit's "The Ethics of Memory"(on Amazon.com)
2. "Duty to Remember" Resource page on Central Michigan University's extended moment of recognition of POW/MIA and their families.
3. "You are Not Forgotten" (book by Evelyn Grubb and Carol Jose about the advocacy of wives and families and the creation of the National League of Families)
4. Facebook page for "Fruits of Peace" (film by Kevyn Settle)
2. "Duty to Remember" Resource page on Central Michigan University's extended moment of recognition of POW/MIA and their families.
3. "You are Not Forgotten" (book by Evelyn Grubb and Carol Jose about the advocacy of wives and families and the creation of the National League of Families)
4. Facebook page for "Fruits of Peace" (film by Kevyn Settle)
Episode 18: The Duty to Remember: Journeys of Reconciliation and The Fruits of Peace (October 8, 2020)
Click here for show description.
The Duty to Remember: Journeys of Reconciliation and The Fruits of Peace
This show continues our series devoted connecting the Duty to Remember and the Ethics of Memory to the issue of Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA). Joining us is the talented team behind "Fruits of Peace" a 2019 documentary film that focuses on the reconciliatory journey of Du Pham, a Vietnamese National, who fought for the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) during the Vietnam War. Du belongs to the celebrated anti-aircraft unit "C4" which, as its first victory, shot down American Pilot Wilmer Newlin "Newk" Grubb in 1966. Surviving the attack on his plane, Newk was taken to a local village and fed, and then presumably transported to a camp holding other Prisoners of War. Newk died in captivity shortly thereafter. Du just assumed that Newk had survived and was released when the other Prisoners of War were returned to the United States during Operation Homecoming in 1973. Over 40 years later, in 2010, Du journeyed to the U.S. in part to visit his brother Mai (who fought for the South) and to find Newk. Join us to learn about the incredible unfolding of events triggered by Du's courageous decision to extend his hand to his former "enemy", as told in "Fruits of Peace." Joining us are Kevyn Settle (Producer, Director), Michael Chiplock (Executive Producer) and Shirine Hossaini (Associate Producer) of this moving film that raises profound and poignant questions about the Duty to Remember, the Ethics of Memory and how journeys of reconciliation help to harvest the fruits of peace.
This show continues our series devoted connecting the Duty to Remember and the Ethics of Memory to the issue of Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA). Joining us is the talented team behind "Fruits of Peace" a 2019 documentary film that focuses on the reconciliatory journey of Du Pham, a Vietnamese National, who fought for the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) during the Vietnam War. Du belongs to the celebrated anti-aircraft unit "C4" which, as its first victory, shot down American Pilot Wilmer Newlin "Newk" Grubb in 1966. Surviving the attack on his plane, Newk was taken to a local village and fed, and then presumably transported to a camp holding other Prisoners of War. Newk died in captivity shortly thereafter. Du just assumed that Newk had survived and was released when the other Prisoners of War were returned to the United States during Operation Homecoming in 1973. Over 40 years later, in 2010, Du journeyed to the U.S. in part to visit his brother Mai (who fought for the South) and to find Newk. Join us to learn about the incredible unfolding of events triggered by Du's courageous decision to extend his hand to his former "enemy", as told in "Fruits of Peace." Joining us are Kevyn Settle (Producer, Director), Michael Chiplock (Executive Producer) and Shirine Hossaini (Associate Producer) of this moving film that raises profound and poignant questions about the Duty to Remember, the Ethics of Memory and how journeys of reconciliation help to harvest the fruits of peace.
Episode 19: The Duty to Remember and The Right to Know: How Newk and Evelyn Grubb built a Community of Memory (October 15, 2020)
Click here for show description.
The Duty to Remember and The Right to Know: How Newk and Evelyn Grubb built a Community of Memory
This show continues our series connecting the Duty to Remember and the Ethics of Memory to the issue of Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA). We begin this show with a photo of Wilmer Newlin “Newk” Grubb, an American Pilot who was shot down in North Vietnam in 1966 and died shortly after becoming a POW. Clearly alive in the photo (taken in 1966), and being tended to by a nurse, the photo was promoted by the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV), and published in U.S. papers. Eventually, Newk’s wife Evelyn learned of the photo, who until that time, was uncertain of his fate. Upon seeing the photo, Evelyn’s life – and that of her 4 sons – was changed forever. Learn about this powerful story as Kevyn Settle, director and producer of a relevant documentary film called “Fruits of Peace”, and Jeff Grubb, the eldest one son of Newk and Evelyn Grubb, discuss the events surrounding the photo both in Vietnam and in the United States.
This show continues our series connecting the Duty to Remember and the Ethics of Memory to the issue of Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA). We begin this show with a photo of Wilmer Newlin “Newk” Grubb, an American Pilot who was shot down in North Vietnam in 1966 and died shortly after becoming a POW. Clearly alive in the photo (taken in 1966), and being tended to by a nurse, the photo was promoted by the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV), and published in U.S. papers. Eventually, Newk’s wife Evelyn learned of the photo, who until that time, was uncertain of his fate. Upon seeing the photo, Evelyn’s life – and that of her 4 sons – was changed forever. Learn about this powerful story as Kevyn Settle, director and producer of a relevant documentary film called “Fruits of Peace”, and Jeff Grubb, the eldest one son of Newk and Evelyn Grubb, discuss the events surrounding the photo both in Vietnam and in the United States.
Click here for show resources.
1. Photos of Newk Grubb in Captivity
2. Carol Jose speaking about "You Are Not Forgotten" (co-written with Evelyn Grubb)
3. Newk Grubb's page on The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund "Wall of Faces"
4. "Communists inform MIA wife of Husband's Death in Captivity" Article read into the Congressional Record about how the Grubb family learned of Newk's death.
5. "You are Not Forgotten" (book by Evelyn Grubb and Carol Jose about the advocacy of wives and families and the creation of the National League of Families)
6. Wilmer Newlin Grubb's "Virtual Wall", with pictures of Du Pham.
2. Carol Jose speaking about "You Are Not Forgotten" (co-written with Evelyn Grubb)
3. Newk Grubb's page on The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund "Wall of Faces"
4. "Communists inform MIA wife of Husband's Death in Captivity" Article read into the Congressional Record about how the Grubb family learned of Newk's death.
5. "You are Not Forgotten" (book by Evelyn Grubb and Carol Jose about the advocacy of wives and families and the creation of the National League of Families)
6. Wilmer Newlin Grubb's "Virtual Wall", with pictures of Du Pham.
Photo credit: Tara Copp/Military Times
Episode 22: The Duty to Remember: Identifying POW/MIA from the Korean War - An Interview with Dr. Jennie Jin of the DPAA (November 12, 2020)
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The Duty to Remember: Identifying POW/MIA from the Korean War - An Interview with Dr. Jennie Jin of the DPAA
In honor of Veterans Day, we continue our series on the Duty to Remember by welcoming special guest, Dr. Jennie Jin, a forensic anthropologist who works for the DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency). Dr. Jin leads to the Korean War Identification Project of the DPAA. Under her leadership, hundreds of missing US service members who fought in the Korean War have been identified. In this special episode, Dr. Jin discusses her work, and two recent identifications of Michiganders who fought in the Korean War: PFC John Shelemba of Hamtramck, and SFC Jesse “Johnnie” Hill of Highland Park. Dr. Jin discusses the different circumstances surrounding these identifications, the different methodologies used in each, the respective challenges that are faced in these identifications, and how this work is not only important to the families of the missing, but also to international cooperation, especially involving the U.S., ROK (South Korea) and DPRK (North Korea).
In honor of Veterans Day, we continue our series on the Duty to Remember by welcoming special guest, Dr. Jennie Jin, a forensic anthropologist who works for the DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency). Dr. Jin leads to the Korean War Identification Project of the DPAA. Under her leadership, hundreds of missing US service members who fought in the Korean War have been identified. In this special episode, Dr. Jin discusses her work, and two recent identifications of Michiganders who fought in the Korean War: PFC John Shelemba of Hamtramck, and SFC Jesse “Johnnie” Hill of Highland Park. Dr. Jin discusses the different circumstances surrounding these identifications, the different methodologies used in each, the respective challenges that are faced in these identifications, and how this work is not only important to the families of the missing, but also to international cooperation, especially involving the U.S., ROK (South Korea) and DPRK (North Korea).
Click here for show resources.
1. Article from Military Times about the Science behind the identification of remains
2. Article from Time magazine featuring Dr. Jennie Jin
3. Article from the National Committee of North Korea on the cooperation between the U.S. and the DPRK on Korean War remains
4. DPAA article on the identification of PFC John Shelemba of Hamtramck, Michigan
5. DPAA article on the identification of SFC Jesse "Johnnie" Hill of Highland Park, Michigan
6. Video from Arirang TV on the work of the South Korean counterpart of the DPAA, MAKRI (Ministry of National Defense Agency for the Killed in Action Recovery Identification )
7. Registration for The Fruits of Peace Veterans Day Event at the Steinbeck Center (online/free)
2. Article from Time magazine featuring Dr. Jennie Jin
3. Article from the National Committee of North Korea on the cooperation between the U.S. and the DPRK on Korean War remains
4. DPAA article on the identification of PFC John Shelemba of Hamtramck, Michigan
5. DPAA article on the identification of SFC Jesse "Johnnie" Hill of Highland Park, Michigan
6. Video from Arirang TV on the work of the South Korean counterpart of the DPAA, MAKRI (Ministry of National Defense Agency for the Killed in Action Recovery Identification )
7. Registration for The Fruits of Peace Veterans Day Event at the Steinbeck Center (online/free)
Photo credit: Caleb Jones/AP
Episode 23: The Duty to Remember: Identifying POW/MIA from the Korean War - Part 2 of an Interview with Dr. Jennie Jin of the DPAA (November 19, 2020)
Click here for show description.
The Duty to Remember: Identifying POW/MIA from the Korean War (Part 2 of an interview with Dr. Jennie Jin of the DPAA)
We continue our series on the Duty to Remember by once again welcoming special guest, Dr. Jennie Jin, a forensic anthropologist who works for the DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency). Last week, in Part 1 of this inteview, Dr. Jin talked about her work as leader of the Korean War Identification Project of the DPAA. She discussed the circumstances surrounding the recent identification of PFC John Shelemba of Hamtramck, Michigan. In dialogue with PFC Shelemba’s niece, Michele Vance, Dr. Jin explained why the remains known as “X-251 Taejon” were disinterred from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, and how, through various methods, were determined to be PFC Shelemba. In this show, Dr. Jin discusses another recent identification of Michigander SFC Jesse “Johnnie” Hill of Highland Park. Rather than being disinterred from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, the remains of SFC Hill were handed over by the DPRK (North Korea) in 2018 pursuant to an agreement between President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un. In this show, we discuss SFC Hill’s identification and how the Korean War Identification Project not only impacts families, but also political cooperation amongst the U.S. and the two Koreas.
We continue our series on the Duty to Remember by once again welcoming special guest, Dr. Jennie Jin, a forensic anthropologist who works for the DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency). Last week, in Part 1 of this inteview, Dr. Jin talked about her work as leader of the Korean War Identification Project of the DPAA. She discussed the circumstances surrounding the recent identification of PFC John Shelemba of Hamtramck, Michigan. In dialogue with PFC Shelemba’s niece, Michele Vance, Dr. Jin explained why the remains known as “X-251 Taejon” were disinterred from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, and how, through various methods, were determined to be PFC Shelemba. In this show, Dr. Jin discusses another recent identification of Michigander SFC Jesse “Johnnie” Hill of Highland Park. Rather than being disinterred from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, the remains of SFC Hill were handed over by the DPRK (North Korea) in 2018 pursuant to an agreement between President Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un. In this show, we discuss SFC Hill’s identification and how the Korean War Identification Project not only impacts families, but also political cooperation amongst the U.S. and the two Koreas.
Click here for show resources.
1. July 2018 article from (including video) about transfer of 55 boxes of remains from the DPRK (North Korea) to the U.S.
2. SFC Jesse Hill's entry at the American Battle Monuments Commission
3. DPAA article on the identification of SFC Jesse "Johnnie" Hill of Highland Park, Michigan
4. Article on other Michiganders identified who were part of the 55 boxes turned over by the DPRK in 2018.
5. List of the Korean War Unaccounted for from Michigan
6. Article from the National Committee of North Korea on the cooperation between the U.S. and the DPRK on Korean War remains
7. Video from Arirang TV on the work of the South Korean counterpart of the DPAA, MAKRI (Ministry of National Defense Agency for the Killed in Action Recovery Identification )
2. SFC Jesse Hill's entry at the American Battle Monuments Commission
3. DPAA article on the identification of SFC Jesse "Johnnie" Hill of Highland Park, Michigan
4. Article on other Michiganders identified who were part of the 55 boxes turned over by the DPRK in 2018.
5. List of the Korean War Unaccounted for from Michigan
6. Article from the National Committee of North Korea on the cooperation between the U.S. and the DPRK on Korean War remains
7. Video from Arirang TV on the work of the South Korean counterpart of the DPAA, MAKRI (Ministry of National Defense Agency for the Killed in Action Recovery Identification )
Episode 24: The Duty to Remember and The Right to Truth: Evelyn Grubb and the POW/MIA UN Human Rights Petition (December 10, 2020)
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The Duty to Remember and The Right to Truth: The Contribution of Evelyn Grubb and the Families of POW/MIA
On this Human Rights Day, we focus on some of the epistemic Human Rights and Duties specifically to Duty to Remember, the Right to Know and the Right to Truth. Before the International Human Rights Community began articulating the contours of these epistemic human rights, Evelyn Grubb (1931-2005), in her capacity as the national coordinator for the National League of POW/MIA families, petitioned the Secretary General of the United Nations about the fundamental human right to know. In that 1971 petition, Evelyn argued that both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 3rd Geneva Convention imply that her family has a fundamental human right to know about whether their father, Wilmer Newlin “Newk” Grubb, who was shot down in North Vietnam in 1966, was dead or alive. Evelyn also argued that North Vietnam violated this fundamental human right when it repeatedly used photographs of Major Grubb from 1966-1969 in ways that misled both the Grubb family and the American public as a whole. In this show, we discuss Evelyn’s argument and the nature of the epistemic human rights that are referenced in Evelyn’s petition.
On this Human Rights Day, we focus on some of the epistemic Human Rights and Duties specifically to Duty to Remember, the Right to Know and the Right to Truth. Before the International Human Rights Community began articulating the contours of these epistemic human rights, Evelyn Grubb (1931-2005), in her capacity as the national coordinator for the National League of POW/MIA families, petitioned the Secretary General of the United Nations about the fundamental human right to know. In that 1971 petition, Evelyn argued that both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 3rd Geneva Convention imply that her family has a fundamental human right to know about whether their father, Wilmer Newlin “Newk” Grubb, who was shot down in North Vietnam in 1966, was dead or alive. Evelyn also argued that North Vietnam violated this fundamental human right when it repeatedly used photographs of Major Grubb from 1966-1969 in ways that misled both the Grubb family and the American public as a whole. In this show, we discuss Evelyn’s argument and the nature of the epistemic human rights that are referenced in Evelyn’s petition.
Click here for show resources.
1. Article about the Grubb Family's UN Petition (June 28, 1971, Amarillo Globe Times)
2. List of UN Human Rights Treaties
3. 2015 AirForce Times article about Evelyn Grubb and the Grubb Family's quest to know the Truth
4. Article 32 of the June 8, 1977 Protocol to the 3d Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War
5. Wikipedia page on the Right to Truth
6. "You are Not Forgotten" (book by Evelyn Grubb and Carol Jose about the advocacy of wives and families and the creation of the National League of Families)
7. Nobel Week 2020 (streaming content from the Nobel Institute)
2. List of UN Human Rights Treaties
3. 2015 AirForce Times article about Evelyn Grubb and the Grubb Family's quest to know the Truth
4. Article 32 of the June 8, 1977 Protocol to the 3d Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War
5. Wikipedia page on the Right to Truth
6. "You are Not Forgotten" (book by Evelyn Grubb and Carol Jose about the advocacy of wives and families and the creation of the National League of Families)
7. Nobel Week 2020 (streaming content from the Nobel Institute)
Episode 39: The Duty to Remember: Evelyn Grubb's Appeal to the United Nations on behalf of the Families of POW/MIA (Part 1) (June 8, 2021)
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The Duty to Remember: Evelyn Grubb's Appeal the United Nations on behalf of the Families of POW/MIA
50 years ago, on June 7, 1971, in her capacity as the National Coordinator for the National League of POW/MIA Families, Evelyn Grubb (1931-2005) petitioned the United Nations to pressure North Vietnam to disclose information truthful information about the status of all POW/MIA. Evelyn's historic petition made reference to two instruments of international law: The 3d Geneva Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In this show, we provide a introductory background of these instruments and discuss how Evelyn Grubb used them in her petition.
50 years ago, on June 7, 1971, in her capacity as the National Coordinator for the National League of POW/MIA Families, Evelyn Grubb (1931-2005) petitioned the United Nations to pressure North Vietnam to disclose information truthful information about the status of all POW/MIA. Evelyn's historic petition made reference to two instruments of international law: The 3d Geneva Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In this show, we provide a introductory background of these instruments and discuss how Evelyn Grubb used them in her petition.
Click here for show resources.
Episode 40: The Duty to Remember: Evelyn Grubb's Appeal to the United Nations on behalf of the Families of POW/MIA (Part 2) (June 15, 2021)
Click here for show description.
The Duty to Remember: Evelyn Grubb's Appeal the United Nations on behalf of the Families of POW/MIA (Part 2)
This show is the second installment of a discussion of Evelyn Grubb's petition to the United Nations. Last week, on June 7, 2021, we commemorated the 50th anniversary of Evelyn Grubb's petition to the United Nations on behalf of all the families of POW/MIA. A groundbreaking and prescient argument rooted in principles of humanitarian and human rights law, the "class action" petition appeals to two different instruments of public international law: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 3rd Geneva Convention. In Part One of this discussion (recorded on June 8, 2021), we focused on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In this show, we continue this discussion on the systemic gender discrimination faced by the wives of POW/MIA. We also discuss how the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions are relevant to the argument in the petition.
This show is the second installment of a discussion of Evelyn Grubb's petition to the United Nations. Last week, on June 7, 2021, we commemorated the 50th anniversary of Evelyn Grubb's petition to the United Nations on behalf of all the families of POW/MIA. A groundbreaking and prescient argument rooted in principles of humanitarian and human rights law, the "class action" petition appeals to two different instruments of public international law: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 3rd Geneva Convention. In Part One of this discussion (recorded on June 8, 2021), we focused on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In this show, we continue this discussion on the systemic gender discrimination faced by the wives of POW/MIA. We also discuss how the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions are relevant to the argument in the petition.
Click here for show resources.
1. 1971 Article from Time Magazine about legal difficulties faced by wives of the POW/MIA
2. Legal Aid to Wives of POW/MIA (from Congressional Record (U.S. Senate) October 27, 1971)
3. Newspaper article from November 17, 1970, in which Evelyn Grubb describes learning about her husband's status from Cora Weiss and the Committee of Liaison
4. Reservations of Vietnam to the 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th Geneva Conventions
2. Legal Aid to Wives of POW/MIA (from Congressional Record (U.S. Senate) October 27, 1971)
3. Newspaper article from November 17, 1970, in which Evelyn Grubb describes learning about her husband's status from Cora Weiss and the Committee of Liaison
4. Reservations of Vietnam to the 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th Geneva Conventions