Veterans tell their stories in “After Action”

Viewers outside of South Carolina should check local listings to see when “After Action” airs on a local PBS station.

Featuring seven, one-hour episodes, “After Action” documents the experiences of 21 diverse veterans from across the country. Hosted by Air Force combat veteran Stacy Pearsall, this powerful series reveals what life is like for these American heroes before, during and after action.

• Episode 201: “Parenting in Service” — When service before self is the military mantra, the family’s needs often come second to Uncle Sam. As the saying goes, “If the military wanted you to have a family, they would have issued you one.” Yet over 40% of service members have children. Host and retired Air Force Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall talks with Bill Brokop, Maria “Coco” Gunther and Hannah Merchant, three veterans who faced the challenge of balancing the needs of a nation with the needs of their families.

• Episode 202: “For God and Country” — Since 1775, chaplains have supported the spiritual needs of the troops and provided counseling on military issues, family troubles and religious matters. In combat, they comfort the wounded and help the dying transition from this life to the next. Three chaplains who committed their lives to God and country — Rev. Addison Burgess, Rabbi Julie Schwartz and Imam Khallid Shabazz — join Pearsall to discuss faith and the challenge of caring for themselves while shouldering the burdens of others.

• Episode 203: “Invisible Veteran” — Many stores across America have designated parking spaces for veterans, used by countless thankful vets. For women veterans, parking in that space comes with the risk of being confronted by angry bystanders who assume they are military wives instead of veterans and are dishonoring what that parking space represents. Veterans Ashley Brokop, Bambi Bullard and Tonya Savice join Pearsall to explore the unique needs and experiences of women who have served in the military.

• Episode 204: “Gold Star Service” — When a family loses a military member during service, they become known as a Gold Star Family — a designation no one wishes to receive. Pearsall, whose own family became a Gold Star family in 1944, 1945 and 1969, talks with Shanon Duffy, Joe LaPointe and Nathaniel Lee, three veterans who felt compelled to serve after they became Gold Star survivors.

• Episode 205: “Serving With Pride” — From 1994 until 2011, the military operated under a policy called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which prohibited openly gay or bisexual people from serving in the armed forces. While that policy was repealed, its legacy reverberates today, depriving some veterans of their full benefits. And though service members may now serve openly as their authentic selves, some fear future legislation or executive orders may negatively impact their service. James Bond, Tammy Smith and Jason Vero, three veterans who served — and are serving — with pride, discuss these issues.

• Episode 206: “Toxic Exposure” — Many people associate casualties with bombs and bullets, but there are veterans who have died, and those who are dying, years after they returned home from war. Elba Barr, Ron Cherry and Bobby Tyner, three veterans on the frontlines battling silent killers, explore the long-lasting health effects of toxic exposure.

• Episode 207: “Art & Healing” — The beat of a drum, the stroke of a brush, and the fluid movement of dance can articulate feelings and emotions some veterans can’t express in words. As a combat photographer, host Stacy Pearsall found her camera became synonymous with trauma, but as a veteran, it became essential to her healing. Pearsall talks with Román Baca, Trevor Meyer and Maria Salazar, three veterans helping their peers find their voices and their peace through the arts.