DeepSummary
The episode starts with audio clips from a previous episode where a Marine named David Costello was mentioned as being badly affected by a mortar explosion at a schoolhouse in Fallujah, Iraq during the war. The hosts discuss how they've been trying to track down Costello to learn more about his experiences. Eventually, with the help of another Marine named Carlos Gomez Perez, they are able to locate Costello and interview him.
Costello recounts harrowing details from his deployments in Iraq, including accidentally shooting and killing an Iraqi civilian farmer on the first day of the invasion in 2003. He also describes the events of April 12, 2004 in Fallujah when a mortar round hit the courtyard of the schoolhouse, killing and wounding several Marines, including Costello himself. He shares the immense guilt, trauma, and survivor's guilt he struggled with following these events.
The episode delves into Costello's long battle with addiction, PTSD, and the haunting moral injuries he sustained during the war. He speaks candidly about his descent into drug abuse, crime, and multiple overdoses, as well as the strain it put on his family. However, he expresses hope that by reconnecting with his Marine brothers and sharing his story, he can begin to heal.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The friendly fire incident in Fallujah in 2004 had a devastating impact on the Marines involved, causing immense physical and psychological trauma.
- Many Marines like David Costello struggled with PTSD, substance abuse, and moral injury after returning from combat in Iraq.
- The Marine Corps conducted an investigation into the friendly fire incident but allegedly covered up some of the findings from the affected Marines and families.
- Despite the horror of war, the bonds of brotherhood between Marines like Costello and Carlos Gomez Perez provided a source of support and healing.
- Costello's candid retelling of his experiences highlights the often unseen wounds of war and the need for better resources for veterans suffering from PTSD and moral injury.
- The episode raises questions about the military's transparency and accountability when incidents like the Fallujah friendly fire tragedy occur.
- Revisiting and sharing traumatic war experiences can be part of the healing process for veterans, though the path is extremely difficult.
- The impact of the Iraq War continues to reverberate through the lives of Marines, their families, and the public now learning of covered-up incidents like this.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I didn't know I had PTSD because I was on these pain pills. And when I stopped, because it seemed like they cured everything. And when I was off them, all that shit came and hit me.“ by David Costello
- “I definitely feel like if I wouldn't maybe said that, you know, maybe that wouldn't have happened.“ by David Costello
- “When they pass away, Carlos is my family.“ by David Costello
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Episode Information
Taking Cover
NPR
4/13/23