Art by Ricky Rodriguez
José Raphael dreams of one thing: retiring in Puerto Rico, the place where he was born. He survived Vietnam, Agent Orange, and cancer. But the archipelago has just one fully functioning VA hospital, and going back could cost him the care keeping him alive. His daughter, producer T.J. Raphael, tells his story and what it reveals about the care Puerto Rican veterans are owed for serving in American wars, and still can't get at home.
This episode of American Colony was produced by T.J. Raphael. It was edited by Julio Ricardo Varela.
José Raphael sueña con retirarse a Puerto Rico, donde nació. Es el padre de T.J. Raphael, la productora de este episodio. José sobrevivió a Vietnam, al Agente Naranja y al cáncer. Pero en todo el archipiélago hay un solo hospital de veteranos operativo, y volver podría costarle el cuidado que lo mantiene vivo. Nuria Net narra su historia y lo que revela sobre el cuidado médico que se les debe a los veteranos boricuas por servir en las guerras de Estados Unidos, pero que aún no consiguen en su tierra.
T.J. Raphael produjo este episodio de American Colony. Julio Ricardo Varela lo editó.
About the Producer
T. J. Raphael is an award-winning journalist, executive audio producer, and podcast host whose work sits at the crossroads of investigative reporting, cultural history, and character-driven storytelling, revealing how systems of power shape people’s lives.
She’s responsible for creating chart-topping podcast series and audio stories for companies such as Audible, Sony’s Global Podcast Division, Slate, NPR, and WNYC Radio. She began her career in print journalism, with reporting and editorial roles at The Village Voice, The New York Daily News, and The Legislative Gazette, grounding her audio work in traditional investigative and accountability reporting.
Credits
American Colony is a production of The Latino Newsletter and Shake It Easy Media
Original Concept by Julio Ricardo Varela
Senior Editor: Nuria Net
Senior Producer: Joaquín Cotler
Hosts: Julio Ricardo Varela and Nuria Net
Producer: Carlos Berríos Polanco
Consulting Producer: Susanne Ramírez de Arellano
Episode Producers: T.J. Raphael; Alana Schreiber; Raquel Reichard with Diosa Femme and Mala Muñoz from Locatora Radio; Juan Diego Ramírez; Camille Padilla Dalmau, Frances Medina, and 9 millones; Joaquín Cotler; and Amalia Núñez-Pires
Managing Editor: Christina Hernández
Video Producer: Amalia Nuñez-Pires
Social Media Videos: Anthony Modesto Milián and Aliana M. Bigio
Illustrator: Ricky Rodriguez
Composer: Alain Emile
Additional music courtesy of Soundstripe
Executive Producers: Julio Ricardo Varela, Nuria Net, and Joaquín Cotler
Support for this program comes from the Mellon Foundation, the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities. More at Mellon.org.
American Colony was also made possible by individual donations. To support the nonprofit work of The Latino Newsletter, click on the Donate tab at The Latino Newsletter.
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