hmTv at HMTC Podcasts Ep 399: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Donna Zephrine P3 on hmTv
In Ep 399 (Part 3) of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Richard Acritelli continues his powerful conversation with U.S. Army veteran Donna Zephyrin, tracing the closing chapters of her first Iraq tour and the rapid pivot into her second deployment. Donna recounts the move north to Garma, where daily threats, RPGs, and increasingly sophisticated IED tactics reshaped everything from convoy behavior to the basic rules of survival. She shares how quickly “helping civilians” became a security risk, the fear and uncertainty of chemical alarms and MOPP gear, and the realities of operating with a blended force of active duty, Reserve, and National Guard units that had to unify fast or fail.
The episode then shifts to the emotional whiplash of coming home, including her decision to visit a fallen soldier’s family, the weight of carrying KIA bracelets, and the unexpected triggers of civilian life, fireworks, roadside debris, and even stoplights. From there, Donna walks listeners into her second deployment (October 2004–October 2005), describing a more organized war zone, better infrastructure, heavier armor, and life at Al-Asad, a Marine-run “hot spot” where incoming attacks were routine. She also reflects on the war’s expanding timeline, stop-loss extensions, and the unseen logistics of bringing equipment back, cleaning vehicles, restoring fleets, and re-entering garrison life. Part 3 ends with a clear bridge to Part 4, where Donna and Richard will explore her final period in uniform, returning to school, and how she honors veterans today.