hmTv at HMTC Podcasts Ep 398: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest Donna Zephrine P2 on hmTv
In Ep 398 (Part 2) of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Richard Acritelli continues his conversation with U.S. Army veteran Donna Zephyrin, tracing her path from the Army Reserve to active duty in Savannah, Georgia, and into the earliest phase of the Iraq War. Donna describes the sharp culture shift between Reserve and active duty life, the demands of daily military discipline, and the realities of preparing for combat deployment.
From flying into Kuwait to crossing into Iraq at the start of the invasion, Donna shares what it felt like to move with a convoy into the unknown, where sleep was scarce, threats were everywhere, and trust had to be earned in real time. She explains the day-to-day pressures of keeping vehicles mission-ready under harsh conditions, repairing tires and batteries in sand and heat, and working while under fire. The episode also captures the emotional toll of early casualties, the role of faith and military chaplains in maintaining steadiness, and the sobering memorials that reminded troops what was at stake. The conversation ends with a gripping setup for Part 3, as Donna and Richard turn toward Garma, a “hot spot” where attacks were frequent and the fog of war closed in even tighter.